Taking time with God each day will revolutionize your spiritual health and lift your entire life to another level.

I know, I know, you’re busy. Who isn’t?

But think about this: Suppose you went to your doctor for what you thought was a minor complaint.

And suppose after running tests, your doctor sits you down and informs you that you have a life-threatening condition and without drastic, daily changes in the routine of your life going forward, you will die.

Do you think you’d find time to do what he says? Would you be too busy then?

We can always find time to do what we want.

The late Christian philosopher Dallas Willard wrote about the three stages of getting something done.

First is the wishing for it, then there is wanting it, and finally there is intending it.

Nothing actually happens until we get to the third stage because then we attach it to a plan of action. We intend it.

Living Intentionally

As written in 2 Timothy 2:2-7, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”

The three examples above cited by the Apostle Paul to his disciple Timothy stand as great examples of intentional living — a soldier gets killed if he fails at his job; an athlete forfeits the prize if he doesn’t train; a farmer starves to death if he doesn’t produce.

No one “coasts” to the finish line of any race that is truly worth running. Christian commitment is a life-and-death matter, and while the stakes are high, the rewards are incalculable.

Our ‘Daily’ Bread

Luke 11:3 states: “Give us each day our daily bread.”

When Jesus told us to ask for daily bread, how do you suppose God does that in your life? Many think the verse refers to actual physical food, and in a sense that is true.

But then we read in John 6:27, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

The obvious implication is that spiritual food is much more important in God’s eyes than physical food, and how else can “the Son of Man give you” something apart from the Word of God?

And with physical food, it must be daily.

Sunday Binging

Suppose I figured out how much food and drink I’ll need for an entire week and proceeded to consume it all on a single Sunday afternoon. My bright idea being that I don’t want to be bothered with eating during the week because I’m too busy.

How do you think that would work for me?

But that’s how many of us live spiritually. Church on Sunday and settling for time in the Word in sporadic “forays,” and then wondering why we seem to be “running on empty” by Monday afternoon!

We’re not built like that. We need to feed our souls in the same way as our bodies. Daily.

Digging for Treasure

So, what’s the “catch” here? What is it that so many miss?

As told in Luke 10:21-22: “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’”

The pearls of great price in God’s kingdom aren’t just lying around for anyone to trample. They are revealed to a select few, a chosen few, who take the time to become as children and “hang out” with their dad.

I will forever value those few but precious hours with my earthly dad alone in a boat fishing. It was then that I really got to know the real him, with his guard down and not being rushed.

How About You?

Do you get it? Between the covers of that Bible you hold, if you put it up to your ear and listen, there is a Heartbeat.

The pages of scripture are alive with a Father’s love; a Father who is longing to connect with his always-too-busy kids, without conditions, demands or expectations.

Just show up. You don’t have to earn your way into His presence, nor beg for His attention. He’s “all ears.”

4-1-1

Click here for a fascinating AI-generated video overview of this essay.