When I think back over the years I have served the Lord as a "bi-vocational" minister, I would have to admit that the greatest challenge that I have faced, I am still facing: There is never enough time. Time is always at a premium. There is never enough time to do all that could be done or should be done. My life seems to always get boiled down to doing just what needs to be done. It can be discouraging at times, and I find myself envious of those fortunate men who are able to serve full time parishes. However this kind of thinking is not very productive, and ends up stealing more time. I have discovered another way to look at the situation.
Our God is beyond the scope of time, He lives in the present, with perfect knowledge of both past and future. He knows all of our going out and our coming in. He holds time in his hand. That said, we can be assured that he has granted us enough time to do his will. The trick is simple although not necessarily easy. We must make it our purpose to let God order our time. In practical terms, it means praying with our to do list in hand. Seeking God's leading with prioritizing what we plan to do. I have found God faithful time and again, and when I find myself stressing over obligations, He gently reminds me that He is still God, and holds time and my life in his hands.
Ironically, it is this challenge that I face daily, that also serves to help me understand the plight of so many men and women today. I am not the only one too busy. You probably are too. You may be sitting there reading this blog, thinking to yourself, "I don't have time for this..." Here is the beauty though. The way that I am learning to order my days will work for you! What I find myself forced to do, is really not more than the Christian faith, practical Christianity. Do yourself a favor. Admit that you are too busy, and let Christ order your day. You will find him to be a much more gracious master than you are. You will drive yourself. You will push the limits of your own humanity, and then be frustrated when you cannot achieve what you set out to do. As followers of Jesus we must let it go. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Dare I say it? Yours is not. But, you too can find rest in Jesus.
