I recently had lunch with a friend who was bemoaning the fact that some of the men in his small group seem to have trouble getting into the discipline (and joy) of daily time with God. It’s an ongoing challenge to those of us who give ourselves to discipling people. The skill isn’t hard, but starting is hard.
I’ve suggested a number of reasons, including Matthew Kelly’s observation that maybe people don’t want transformation, and therefore, they avoid spending time in the Word.
But it could be that the men honestly feel like they don’t have time. “I’m working so hard at work…I’ve got three kids at home…life is just crazy right now…when it smooths out, then I’ll have time to spend with God. Some day I’ll do it. Some day I’ll have more time.
I’m reminded of (and challenged by) by S.D. Gordon’s often-quoted observation:
The great people of the earth today are the people who pray! I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor those who explain prayer; but I mean those who actually take the time to pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. That something else is important, very important and pressing, but still, less important and pressing than prayer. There are people who put prayer first, and group the other items in life’s schedule around and after prayer. (emphasis mine)
And there’s the issue: we find time to do what we think is important.
And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 8.32 – 35, ESV)
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2.1 – 5, ESV)
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1.35, ESV)
Someday Isle by Dennis Waitley
There is an island fantasy
A “Someday Isle” we’ll never see
When recession stops, inflation ceases
Our Mortgage is paid, our pay increases
That Someday Isle where problems end
Where every piece of mail is from a friend
Where the children are sweet, already grown
Where all the nations can go it alone
Where we all retire at forty-one
Playing Football in the island sun
Most unhappy people look to tomorrow
To erase this day’s hardship and sorrow
They put happiness on lay-away
And struggle through a blue today
But happiness cannot be sought
It can’t be earned, it can’t be bought
Life’s most important revelation
It’s the journey that means as much as the
destination
Happiness is where you are right now,
Pushing a pencil or pushing a plow
It’s knocking on doors and making your calls
It’s getting back up after your falls
It’s going to school or standing in line
Tasting defeat, tasting the wine
If you live in the past you become senile
If you live in the future you’re on Someday Isle
The fear of results is procrastination
The joy of today is a celebration
You can save, you can slave, trudging mile after mile
But you’ll never set foot on your “Someday I’ll”
When you’ve paid all your dues and put in your time
Out of nowhere comes another Mt. Everest to climb
I have decided Today to make it my Vow
To take Someday I’ll and make it NOW
Thanks, Bob!