Time Wasters and Time Makers

I had an aha moment when I read this scripture: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7.

I don’t watch the news, but my Facebook newsfeed keeps me updated on the highlights of “wicked schemes” of people and it moves me to make part of my daily devotion time to earnestly pray for our country. Whatever side we may be on, we should diligently pray for God’s wisdom to our president, Congress, and military leaders. They need our prayers even if they are not the candidates we voted for and even if we don’t like what they say and do. Interceding for those in authority is not an option. It is a biblical command: “I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Here’s the good news. God’s perfect judgment WILL put things right! If we can believe in a God Who is going to execute judgment with perfect justice, then we can leave it in His sovereign hands and do what Jesus told us to do: “Love your enemies”! Whew! That’s the test. It’s a TIME WASTER to complain and moan the state of the world when we know the end of the Book’s WINNING outcome. So many of the world’s problems would be solved if people believed in the fact that there is a God Who judges justly and we can trust Him to put things right in the end.

Why, then, should we be worrying and fretting about anything?” The older I get, the more I realize the most precious time in life is when I spend it with the people I love the most. I love spending time with my family, my extended family, my church family, and dear friends. And, I like to think they like to spend time with me. That is the TIME MAKERS. Yet even more amazing to me is that God desires to spend time with me – especially when I’m in a “time maker” mode with Him and delighting in Him! In fact, He wants to spend time with you and me so much that He paid a hefty debt He didn’t owe in order to get it. He sent Jesus to remove every barrier, tear down every wall and unlock every door so we could have a personal relationship with Him. In fact, He gave us His Word so we could hear from Him consistently.

God gives us unrestricted access to Him, anywhere and anytime. God wants us to get to know Him better so we can love Him fully, hear Him clearly and experience His guidance. This comes by spending quality time with Him instead of the news or newsfeed.

So today — instead of wasting our time on fruitless thoughts and bemoaning the troubles in our world, let’s set aside time to spend with the One who is above all time and He sure makes our time beautiful. It will be time well spent.