My son and I had a conversation a few years ago on what it will be like when believers are all up in heaven. We think it will be awesome to meet the 12 disciples and ask them what it was like to be with Jesus on earth. We wouldn’t be surprised if they turned to us and asked what it was like to have God living inside of us while on earth.
We have the better deal, my friends. Let’s not squander the gift that lays before us.
The Scriptures gives us numerous examples of how to not waste a single day when Jesus, the Son of God, resides within our repentant hearts. Each day is a gift given to us by God.
Moses understood this. Notice what he says in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Time flies by, and this becomes apparent as we get older. I can’t get over the fact that I have adult children with one married. Where did the time go? My husband and I are talking about retirement. How did that happen?
James also understood not wasting time. In James 4:14, he says, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog, it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” I bet if those who have gone before us could come back, they would tell us to stop living for the wrong things, quit filling your time with frivolous entertainment. What do you think Elvis would tell us, how about Kobe Bryant and his daughter, or the astronauts from the Challenger disaster back in 1985? Here one moment, gone the next.
Read Ecclesiastes and see how Solomon had everything that the world offered, and he said it is all futile. He said, “It is all meaningless,” in Ecclesiastes 2:1. Everything goes back in the box, as they say, when life ends. I understood this when my mother passed away. I was at her apartment when she was sick. Returning home, she passed about a week later. When I returned for her funeral, her apartment was just stuff, an emptiness filled the rooms. All the things that were familiar and homey from when I grew up were now empty things with memories. Eventually her things were boxed up and given away.
How are you spending your time?
The best role model for us to look at is Jesus, the One who lives within repentant hearts. Look at what He says in John 17:4, “I brought glory to You (God) on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.” Everything that Jesus said and did brought glory to His Father. May we spend our days in the same way.
Farther down in chapter 17, notice how Jesus shares with us as we live each day for Him. “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them, and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love me.”22-23
When we spend our days walking in Christ, we are not only spending our time wisely, but we will be united in love. Take some time and allow God to speak to you from these scriptures. We can put our calendars on diets as we let go of empty busyness and allow God to fill His time that He gave us, it’s not our time to do as we please.
Be brave. Ask God to show you what keeps you busy, entertained, and/or distracted from following Christ? The best gift you can give yourself, your spouse, your family, etc., this Valentine’s Day, is following Jesus.
Jesus is always time well spent. He takes you beyond death’s door into eternity with Him.
Carol J German 