Time Apart

When I was right out of seminary in my first call, a wise elder came to see me and ask about my prayer life. I was honest and told him I try to fit it wherever I can. He challenged me on that, “You know,” he said, “we’re all given the same amount of time every day – 24 hours. Are you going to choose to have your life rooted in Christ? Or, is your life going to be centered on Joe: Joe’s worries, Joe’s problems, Joe’s ideas? Even if you choose to center it on (your job) the church, the church’s worries, the church’s problems, the church’s ideas – you are still missing the point. I’m not talking about adding one more thing to your life, Joe. I’m talking about a center and a ground for everything. If the Lord doesn’t get first priority in your life, then what are you saying to us about what’s important in our lives?

At first, I was kind of mad. The more I thought about it, the angrier I felt. But I realized I was angry – because he was right.

Here are the questions he raised for me: Do you want to hear God’s voice? Do you want to have God’s healing and guidance at the heart of who you are? Do you want a sense of integrity between your faith and your life? If so, then you need to make time to be still and to listen.

Let us pray: O God, we do want you at the heart and center of our lives. Help us to make space in our lives to share our burdens, to listen for your guidance, and to be filled with your peace.  Amen.