Busy VS Fruitful
So many things connected with me today in the sermon that I had to tell you about it. We had a guest lay preacher, Glenda Burk, speak to us on Busy Versus Fruitful.
I know I have been “busy” the past few weeks with VIBE (VBS) and getting ready for my trip to Poland. However, I have never felt stressed. I always took time to talk to God, see family, and go boating with my hubby and have our famous cribbage matches (which I have been losing most lately).
Today Glenda talked about “busyness” and how it might negatively affect our lives. But she also talked about being fruitful – that God expects us to draw on our talents to further His Kingdom on earth.
God gave us the gift of TIME. He gave the same amount to everyone. He encourages us to use it wisely. There are 86 400 seconds in every day. How are we using them?
If you say you “have no time” – then it is time to look at your priorities and make choices that honour God. So eliminate something. Every moment we waste we won’t get back.
Here are her 5 ways to get back time:
Stop worrying
– that is useless thinking. It has been shown that worry makes us sick and even grouchy.
Stop reasoning
– Don’t ask those questions: Why God, why? When God, when? How God, how? Instead take Proverbs 3:5-6 to heart:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Get rid of guilt
Guilt is totally useless. Jesus has delivered us. So believe Him and drop the guilt.
Don’t be angry
Put anger aside. We only hurt ourselves more when we are angry. Bitterness prevents healing.
Forgive Others
Glenda gave us good advice. “Just get over it. And forgive”.
Don’t do Dead Works
Dead works produce no fruit. We only get frustrated and worn out if we try to do things when God is not in them. Instead, let God in – begin to pray – God will open doors. God said, “apart from me you can do nothing”.
“the Lord is our king;
it is he who will save us” (Isaiah 33:22 NIV).“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV).
How do we make the best use of our time? Have time to do three things:
- time with God
- relationship with ourselves – know ourselves and have balance
- time with others – serve them. Jesus never sat on the sidelines. Put an effort into relationships. Don’t put off for another time something we may not ever get time to do again.
Prayer:
Father, use me today and the next day. Help me to prioritize my time to work well for You. Help me to balance my day to make me the best equipped to spread the Good News. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Please read What are Your Tin Gods?
