Making Time, Not Excuses

I'm sure you have heard the saying, "You'll never have time for anything. If you want something, you make time for it." It drove me crazy the first few times, I heard it. Not because I didn't know it to be true, but because I wasn't ready to admit that, when it came to certain things, I was better at making excuses than time. Since I was not ready to swallow this little nugget of wisdom, it tasted very bitter - it ranked right up there with one of my dad's favorite quotes, "almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." He was great at tossing that gem out there during games of one-on-one in basketball.
Me: "Ah! That shot almost went in!" or "I almost beat you!"
Dad (his Sam Elliot voice not missing a beat): "Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."
It's a great quote and, truth be told, I've used it myself numerous times, but it's not one the receiver always enjoys hearing. Similarly, I was not always fond of the reminder that time must be made.

Fourteen years ago, a good friend and I communicated via email almost daily. If two days passed without a communication from him, I would wonder if something was wrong. He was away at college, and had recently refocused on his relationship with Christ. He was on fire for Jesus! Every one of his emails were full of joy and examples of how Christ was working in his life. One day, I was expressing my admiration of his dedication to studying the word of God, how I noticed such an incredible change in him and his energy since he had made that commitment, and how "I wished I could do the same." At that time, my dear friend spoke truth to me that I needed to hear, but was not yet ready to accept. He pointed out that I didn't have to "wish," I could make the choice myself to be active in my relationship with Christ. He firmly, but kindly, informed me that if I truly wanted to make a change, I would ACT on it and stop just talking about it... Ouch! It took me a while to reply to him after that. In fact, our daily correspondence experienced a very big lull while I nursed my wounded pride. I knew he was right. But I wasn't ready to hear it, so I made more excuses.

I see people do this all the time regarding their physical health, too. They watch the runner on the trail from a booth at a nearby fast-food restaurant and wish they could be like the runner. Rather than throwing away the value meal and getting out on that trail to go for a walk, they take another gulp of their super-sized soda. I hear people say, "I want to get in shape, but it's just too much work ... I like fried foods and sweets way too much ... I just don't have the time." And that last excuse is true. You don't have time for anything. You have to make time for the things and people you care about. If you truly want to see a change in your physical health, you have to choose to make the time to focus on it.

Just as we have to choose to make the time to care for our physical bodies, be it through preparing healthy meals or taking part in physical activity, we have to choose to make time to devote to our spiritual health as well. As Paul explains in 1 Timothy 4:8, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life, and the life to come."

My willingness to accept that truth didn't just occur overnight. It has been, and still is, a lengthy process; however, at some point I decided my friend was right. I had to make a choice to commit and be an active part of my relationship with Christ. I have to make time for God. Instead of giving into 20 more minutes of sleep, a sink full of dirty dishes, or a pile of laundry that seems to be steadily growing with each passing minute, I need to choose to set that time aside to study His word, pray, worship, or just be still and sit in awe of His mercy and grace.

As I said, this is a lengthy process for me, and one with which I still struggle. Sometimes, I would love nothing more than to lose myself in a mindless television show. There are many days that the soft, fluffy pillows on the couch beckon my name, and I am so tempted to answer their call, close my eyes, and sleep. Thankfully, our church's recent studies in Proverbs make it a little easier to say no to those enticing pillows - Proverbs 6:10-11 to be exact - but it is still a choice I have to make every day.

Many times, I find the excuse I struggle with the most is that of needing to work out. "I haven't been able to go for a run or work out in two days! If I don't do it today, I'm going to go crazy!" I tell myself that, and choose working out over spending time alone with God. Don't get me wrong, physical exercise is important, but it should never take precedent over our relationship with Christ. After all, what good is it for a person to be in perfect physical shape, but have insides wrought with worry and fear because they neglect the One who can offer them peace and joy? In fact, I have discovered that the more I choose God, the better I feel and the easier it is to make the right choice. The more we drink of his wisdom, love, and mercy, the more we thirst for it, making it all the more desireable to pick up the Bible or hit our knees in prayer, and immerse ourselves in His grace.

1 Corinthians 9:24-26 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air."

Let us not run aimlessly through this life. Let's make a choice to make time for God.