Lately, I've had a lot of people make comments about how I am able to make time to workout, read books, and even cook every day. For the past few days I have been thinking a lot about those comments and also the behavior and comments of people I know and love. In this blog entry I am going to talk about 2 topics that I believe in many cases go hand in hand. Time and being an example/inspiration.
I constantly hear people say "I just don't have the time". I am a firm believer that God gives us ONLY what we can endure. Granted, sometimes we disagree and think God messed up "this time", but in the end we always come out of the situation alive and stronger than when we went in. What does that have to do with making time? Well, everything. God gave everyone 24 hours per day and 7 days a week because per his calculation that is enough time for everyone to do what they need to do. If you really think God didn't give you enough time to get everything done that you NEED to get done, take some time during the course of a week and analyze what you are doing with your time. Most of us work 8 hour days and "should" sleep about 7-8 hours a night, so that leaves is with 8 hours. Realistically, for individuals who work, there is getting ready time and commute time so let's say you have 6 hours left in your day. What are you doing those 6 hours? Is that not enough time to exercise a few days a week for 30 minutes, read, pray, play and instruct your children, have a conversation with your spouse, cook a meal?
Now this time doesn't include the 16 hours (after a good night's sleep) we have for 2 days on the weekend for people who don't work. So really, is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week not enough time for you? Or are you wasting your time on things that are not benefiting you, your family, or your community.
I believe that we are to take care of ourselves because the bible is clear that we are the temple of God, however, we are here to be an example. To lead our family, neighbors, and community to God. Are the hours you have free during the day being used properly to complete the mission Jesus left us...or are you using that time selfishly by watching TV, playing video games, and being on the computer for hours on end. I'll be honest,I don't believe posting bible verses and prayers to your facebook on a daily basis is going to bring anyone to God. What brings souls to God is a life that carries the characteristics of someone who lives as Christ did. A life filled with love, compassion, mercy, grace, justice, patience, long-suffering, joy, peace.
I challenge everyone to really analyze your time. Where does time go? Where do you spend it? With who do you spend it? And lastly, How do you spend it? We often spend time analyzing the lives others, when we need to analyze our own lives. There would be much less hurt in the world if people were to focus on bettering their own lives first, instead of bettering the lives of other. There may be a speck in someone's eye, but please be cautious when you try and remove their speck if you have a plank in yours. You may wind up creating permanent damage to the person because your sight wasn't perfect enough to place your finger in their eye to remove the speck. Take a moment to figure out how to remove the plank in your eye...seek help if needed. Then you can help your brother. Trust me, you'll be more likely to fulfill Jesus' mission if you take some time to remove your own plank. At the end of week, we all have enough time to work, spend time with our family, read, pray, be active, eat, sleep, bless our neighbors, and be a witness.
You can only inspire if people see you as an inspiration...and in the end that comes down to action, not words.
With lots of love,
Andi
P.S. Per my experience, we should check for planks in our eyes everyday...because I have found a few planks in my eyes more than once.
