I was sitting one night last week watching a Netflix tv show with my mom. This thought came to mind, “am I giving God my leftovers?”
I normally spend some quiet time in the morning with God praying & reading a devotional but my heavy studying is usually at night. Since visiting my parents for a few weeks, I had just been having so much fun binging regularly on shows with my mom or just staying up to enjoy the luxury of a “fake vacation” even though I was working the next day. I have also been doing things in ministry with the church I serve, working a 9-5, trying to maintain friendships, starting a new business/women’s community, etc. But what I had noticed is that I sometimes was so exhausted when I began to read God’s WORD at night and in the morning. This made my quiet time with Jesus consisting of me going in and out of sleep during the prayers and devotion. I know I am not the only one who has bouts of this when schedules change or the busyness picked up, even for good reasons.
I know that the hustle and bustle of this life can be overwhelming at times. I know that there seems not enough hours to accomplish all the tasks this world demands in a day! Us women, especially; are charged with working, being the emotional stability for family & friends, caring for parents, overseeing home affairs, serving in ministry, raising children, providing, getting degrees, and the list goes on.
After a long day, what happens is God gets what we have left. He gets the too tired prayers, the half asleep studying, and the end of the day shut down if we don’t prioritize quiet time with Him daily. I know all of our tasks seem important and necessary but I’m here to assure you that thee most important appointment or task of the day is with Him.
Carving out time to sit as His feet in prayer, worship, and devotion is essential for our overall well being. Spending time with God has proven time and times again to uplift moods, relieve stress, strengthen, and provide hope. This time with Him allows us to conquer the tasks at hand with more clarity and handle difficult situations with more internal peace. Quiet time with Christ is what sets the internal compass and thoughts which allow for mind regulation. Our minds are always racing and thinking of what’s next but time with the Father steadies us. It focuses our hearts posture on what is important.
What I have realized is that in giving God my leftovers, I was living on scraps of strength and days old hope. Yes, sometimes things happen and all I legitimately have had is a small amount of time to devote to Him. Sometimes it will be like that. I truly know that I feel more fulfilled and at peace after being at His feet. I handle my day and the people in it with much more wisdom and gentleness when I have spent intentional time with our Father.
Today’s message is to encourage us all to prioritize time with God daily. Whether it be in the morning prior to everyone getting up, during lunch, or at the end of a long day. Set the time and stick to it! You deserve to be the best you that you can be everyday. Let’s not live off of yesterday’s leftovers. This is the one meal that comes freshly prepared daily! Why not stop, eat, and enjoy it! This meal gives strength, hope, wisdom, renewed perspective, deliverance, and peace. We are better equipped to tackle what the day brings when we sit to eat with God and drink fresh water from The Well! Even when life gets busy for very good reasons, let’s try our hardest to give God what we feel is our best and watch Him give us the ability to do more, respond in love, exhibit more patience, and deal with whatever the day brings with a positive disposition.
There is a short 16 minute sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick that is entitled “Are you Out of Order?”, that I think pairs lovely with today’s message. It is on YouTube, check it out if you can. As always, God swoops in for the win! I was planning to post this blog all week and just did not get to it, call it laziness. Pray for me. Either way somehow this sermon was right there in my face this morning and I knew I needed to share with you. God confirms His WORD. I just love him, because He truly does love me. He loves you too. He desires and longs for time with us. He will gentle nudge us to say, I want time with you. Oh how He longs to fellowship with us.
I truly love you all and pray regularly for those reading my blogs, are apart of the Women’s Lounge, and/or follow the Facebook page! Together we will fulfill the intent in God’s mind for creating us. 2020 you’ve been a wild one, until next year, be blessed!
Happy New Year!
Blossoming Me 