Make the Most of Your Time
Like most parents with three active, elementary aged kids, I am rarely looking for something to add to my schedule. If you add in the responsibilities of a pastor in a growing church usually not am I only preoccupied, I am trying to figure out how to drop things from my calendar. But, I am sure you don’t feel sorry for me, because my guess is that your life might look a whole lot like mine. We are ALL busy. Too busy. Maybe even sinfully busy, if we want to keep it real.
In the context of a busy schedule, I often think (when I have time) of something Paul said to the church in Ephesus 2000 years ago. He said, “Be careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15)
The phrase that haunts me the most from that text is this phrase, “Make the most of every opportunity.” And here’s the truth--- we really only get one chance per moment. Yeah, I know about grace and do-overs and mulligans. Thank you, Jesus. But, grace doesn’t mean we should live carelessly. Conversely, we must strive with God’s grace, to live carefully. What if we lived every moment of time as if we were full of care instead of apathy? What if we cared--- all the time?
Most of us are painfully aware of how busy we are. We treasure our time. Dare I say that for many of us our time is more valuable than our money. Think about it. Wouldn’t we often rather give someone money that give someone our time? Easier to toss some money in a plate, than actually build a relationship. Sad, but true. And because my time is precious, I need to figure out how to make sure I am spending my time where it is needed most.
So, in this stewardship campaign as we are considering what God is calling us to give to the church next year, we are often exclusively thinking about money. That is good. To do all that God calls us to do, we need money. (So, please give generously.) But, we also need your time.
So, what is God calling you to do with your time? Where is God calling you to serve? Who is God calling you to love? There’s no doubt that God is calling you to do something significant with your time. The only question is: will you do what God is calling you to do with your time?
Let me tell you about one hour of your time that WILL make a huge impact on the world. This is an event that is worth an hour of your time.
On October 22nd, Lake Highlands United Methodist Church is partnering with an organization called Stop Hunger Now to package 50,000 meals to be sent somewhere around the world to the country of greatest need. The meals you make will go from your hands into the hungry stomachs of a child who is literally starving. (Not like my kids who think they are starving when they haven’t had a slice pizza in an hour.) I know your Saturdays are busy. Saturday is your catch up day. Saturday is your day to clean house, catch up on laundry, do yard work, and go to kids’ soccer games. But, here’s the deal, this is an hour worth spending. You can choose which hour you serve as you sign up at www.lhumc.com There are four different hour long time slots. Yes, we also need money. (Each meal costs $.29.) But, I am not as concerned about the money. We need some people who can spend some time. Time for fellowship. Time for service. Time to meet the needs of the least of these who live in a world that is much different from our little bubble here in Lake Highlands.
So, will you make the most of this opportunity? God’s given you the time. What will you do with it? Will you give it away? Will you make your time count?
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Andy
