This begs the big question, "How do I spend my time?"
When I'm not at work or sleeping I notice that we have the TV on. I have been cutting out the amount of time I spend watching TV, but have always had a problem with watching it. I remember when we first got cable in my parent's house, I once spent a half hour watching a game show in Korean. I had no idea what they were saying or what the point of the game was about, but I was mesmerized by the images and sounds.
Last week we went with our son to visit a potential college. The university president spoke to us saying that this particular institution was unashamedly Christian and promotes Jesus Christ. When we went to the student chapel service, we heard an instrumental group play a couple of songs, we watched a video about the Advent Conspiracy, sang a couple of worship songs and then heard a missionary speak about the humanitarian work that he was involved in. The service ended with prayer and we were out - after an hour and thirty minutes. The Word of God was not mentioned even once.
Now you might be wondering if the prayer ended with "in Jesus' name, Amen." ;) I don't mean to sound critical but the point I'm trying to make is that one may say one thing about themselves, but actions speak louder than words. Steve Curtis Chapman's song "The Change" has these lyrics in the chorus, "What about a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change." I sometimes feel like I'm like that university; saying one thing about myself, yet living a life that is no different than someone without Christ.
I think the answer lies in how I spend my time. Romans 12:2 comes to my mind, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." But more importantly, the previous verse really speaks to me and this is where I have been discerning God's voice this week in many ways. In verse one, Paul writes, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." As Greg has been telling the students in high school group, "when you died in Christ, your life ceased belonging to you, it's no longer yours. It's dead, done, over. You belong to Him. You have given up all of your rights."
So my life is no longer mine. Wow! That is contrary to the ethos of today. This sounds like sacrifice on my part - sacrificing my will, my desires, my "felt" needs. I already sacrifice on my own. I mean who wants to wake up every morning at 5 AM when it's still dark and go to work 40 miles away from home every day?
So, how will I spend the rest of this evening (it's 7:30 on a Tuesday night)? Last Sunday H. Spees spoke in Sunday School to the high schoolers about the Book of Acts. We will be discussing 4 themes over the next four weeks and we've been given a homework assignment. I think I will read the Book of Acts, not the whole thing, but we'll see where it takes me. Besides I still have a kitchen to clean up.
Tomorrow I have a date with our finances to see where the bleeding is taking place. This is connected with priorities as the next question will be, "Where do I spend my money?"
