From the Pastor

November 2003

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. -- Proverbs 16:9

Recently, I have been spending a significant amount of time reflecting and preparing for my part of the program at the Stewardship Dinner/Event coming up on 9 November. My time spent in preparation has led me to a deep reflection on time and how we spend it.

I once read that time is the most valuable commodity in the 21^st century. Not money, not property, not power, but time. When I first read this, I was skeptical. Of what real value is time, after all? You cannot use it to buy anything. How valuable can it really be?

The more I reflected, however, the more I realized that this is a very true statement. Time is very valuable in our hectic society. We live in a world where people attempt to squeeze work, leisure, household duties, family, etc. into tightly packed schedules. We often hear the exclamation: "If there were only more hours in the day!"

There are only 24 hours in a day. There are only 168 hours in a week. If we allow 7 hours of rest per day, this leaves only 119 hours to accomplish everything that we need and want to accomplish in a given week.

We must plan our days well. We must learn to prioritize in order to make good use of our time. What must take highest priority? What can be scaled back or eliminated? One of the most valuable things that I am continually trying to put into practice is the skill of knowing when to say "Enough is enough!" to certain obligations, and when it is more important to nourish my spirit, my marriage, and my other relationships.

As we ponder our lives and our stewardship of our time, the first question we ask ourselves must be: "Where does God fit into my schedule? Not just my Saturday evening or Sunday morning schedule, but my whole schedule? What part of those precious 119 hours will I give to nourish my relationship with the One who gives me life, the One who listens to my every prayer and thought, and the One who walks with me always?"

Where does your relationship with God fall on the list of priorities? Do you give God one hour each weekend and consider it sufficient? Do you take time to express your thanks each and every day--and for more than just meals? Do you take time to meditate on God's Word and on what it means to you?

I know that we all lead busy lives. But I also know that our other priorities will fall into clearer perspective if God receives the first fruits of our most valuable commodity, and that time spent with God allows our days to have a direction and purpose that they might not otherwise have. I know that the time is well worth the effort in this case, because our relationship with God will grow deeper and more profound.

Is one hour per week really enough? This Fall, consider making a sincere effort to increase your "God time." Come to the Stewardship Event on 9 November to learn more about how to do this! But in the meantime, here are a few ways to start:

Find a devotional book or aid that allows you to reflect on your relationship with God and that pushes you to consider what role you have to play in the kingdom. Come to Adult Class and learn more about the faith through discussion with others. Come to a Bible Study...or start a new one. Come to High School RAP or another youth event and develop relationships beyond Sunday School, confirmation, and worship.

Time is a valuable commodity. What better way to re-invest it that with the One who first gave it to us as a gift?

In Christ,
Pastor Brenda