2 Corinthians 5:20a 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
The Unexpected Adventure- Hang Time- 2 Corinthians 5:20
Lee tells the story of a trip he made to visit his former college roommate, Tarik. Tarik was in the throes of some tough life situations. Lee and Tarik took a week off work and just drove aimlessly across the country. This gave them the opportunity to reconnect and opened the door for several spiritual conversations. The night before Lee had to return home, Tarik prayed to make Christ his savior.
Action Principle- The chapter title "Hang Time" refers to "hanging out with your friends long enough to really get to know them, to understand their questions and concerns, to deepen the trust between you, and to allow yourselves to delve deeply into spiritual conversations." Lee points out that time is our most precious commodity, and it is time that is the most important thing we can invest in relationships.
Here is where the "but monkeys" come in for me. Yeah, but. . .I have tennis. Yeah, but. . .I have PTA this week. Yeah, but. . .I have to write my blog. Yeah, but. . .(fill in the blank with your own "but monkey"). Perhaps God would have me reevaluate how I spend my time. Is it on Kingdom activities. Or perhaps I have too many activities.
As I read this chapter, I realized that the Action Principle also applies to my personal relationship with God. In order to "really get to know" Jesus and deepen my trust in God, I have to spend time with Him. That will not happen unless I make time with God as much a priority as tennis, PTA and t.v.
Kinda' wish I had not read this chapter. :-)
I have come to thing that time with God is one of the most individualistic, hard-to-pin-down aspects of the discipleship process. The "read through the Bible" programs don't do a thing for me. I can't have religious "background" music playing, because it distracts me and commands all my attention. (Although sometimes I give all my attention to some of my favorite music and receive a blessing that way.)
ReplyDeleteI have tried making driving on the open highway a time of prayer, but can't focus enough. I do believe that having a predetermined, scheduled time for God is important. (Congratulations that you have had the discipline to do this most of the time.)
Be careful of letting missed "time with God" sessions become a guilt thing.