"Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God" (Job 37:14).

Does it feel like you are in a perpetual rush, never finding time to "stop and smell the roses"?

Our society expects everything instantly. We have microwaves, instant coffee, fast food, and fast lanes. We become impatient when things don't move quickly. Yet the faster we pace ourselves, the less time we seem to have. As has been humorously stated, "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get."

All of us have observed this phenomenon and, if we are honest, are probably just as guilty as the next person. Where I live, drivers are well known for their disregard of stoplights. It is common for one, two, or even three cars to scoot through as yellow turns to red. Drivers are much too rushed to stop for a little something like a stoplight.

quality time - or not

Is it possible that our impatience and haste have carried into our spiritual lives as well? Have we become too rushed to spend quality time with God and listen to His voice? I was once startled to hear someone giving tips on how to speed read the Bible. That is not quality time with the Lord.

Any relationship needs time, dedicated time, to develop and grow. Otherwise, it will remain superficial, never discovering the depths of the other person's personality and character. This is true in dating, friendships, marriages, and parent/child relationships - or as Christians with our Heavenly Father.

The Book of Job admonishes us to "stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God" (Job 37:14). There is no haste here, but a deliberate stopping of activity to discover more of the greatness of God. The chapter goes on to describe the marvelous works of God, a knowledge not gained with a pause in our step and a quick glance around. To develop an intimate relationship with the Lord, we must devote time to learn more about Him.

prioritizing god

William Feather, author and publisher, said that, "We all find time to do what we really want to do." If we "just can't make time" for daily Bible reading and communion with God, it is because we do not give it priority in our lives. Matthew 6:33 admonishes us to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." When we make God our priority, He supplies all else.

Jesus gave us an example by how He spent His time. He certainly could have used the "I'm too busy" excuse. Crowds of needy people thronged Him constantly, yet He always found time for prayer and the solitude that refreshes one's soul. This was essential for His continued ministry.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).

Luke 6:12 speaks of another time that "he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." We can find time for God if we are willing to disrupt our schedule.

a solitary place

Seemingly urgent tasks compete for our attention every day, and before we realize it another day is gone. Like Jesus, we must slip away to a solitary place to find refreshing for our soul and to nurture our relationship with our Savior. Making Him our first priority may mean saying no to other requests, silencing our phone, ignoring the doorbell, or letting the family know we have an appointment we cannot break.

The priority we give God in our schedule is a deliberate choice. Is He first in your life?

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk