Knock. Knock. Who’s there? ...hey, a squirrel!

Distractions are everywhere. And they’re keeping me from my work! Or, I’m letting them.

As a servant of God I understand that what I have here on this earth has been given to me by God. He expects me to use it wisely to bring Him praise. When I say that, I’m attempting to be all inclusive. For example, most of us understand that God has given us our wealth. It is not something we own or expect to see in heaven. We are stewards of our ...umm, God’s finances. So also, parents understand their children belong first to God. And they are accountable to Him for raising them properly. These are common things. But what I find to be less obvious or at least more difficult to live consistently is the idea that my time belongs to God. It is a gift given to me by God. I’m expected to use it wisely.

The problem comes to light in my life when, as a missionary in training, I have certain responsibilities but no accountability. You see, this spring semester is an especially busy part of my year. But most of the busyness stems from the need to plan ahead a.k.a. delayed consequences for procrastination. Coming up this June-July I will take part in what is known as the Jungle Camp program. During this time the students in my class will have two weeks to build plastic houses out in the bush. Actually, they’re pole frames with heavy duty plastic wrapped around all sides and the roof. We will live in our houses for about four weeks. No leaving. If we forget something, too bad. One of the biggest things I’ll learn from this course is planning ahead. However, that is only possible if I stay focused and don’t get distracted with other things that are perhaps good activities but not essential.

This idea, of staying focused, applies to all areas of life. It’s so easy for me to say, “my life belongs to God”. Yet, when I examine my actions I quickly realize I’m distracted by many things that wont even matter next week. I’m accountable to God, but the consequence of my poor choices is delayed. I merrily follow whatever new thing momentarily intrigues me, not realizing that in consuming the temporal I’ve forfeited the eternal. And so it goes, when in this life I have failed to put first-things-first allowing myself to be distracted by the present, I cheat myself of what is most important.

Good is often the enemy of the best. -Anonymous

Romans 12:1-2:

1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice - alive, holy, and pleasing to God - which is your reasonable service.
2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God - what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

Pray that I learn to to use ‘my time’ wisely.