Got 5 Minutes?

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Do you ever feel like there isn't enough time in your day to do all the things you want? I sure do. Part of my problem is that I think I need to spend a certain amount of time on certain activities: excercise: 30 minutes, time with God: 30 minutes, phone call to a friend: 30 minutes, reading: 30 minutes. You get the idea. When I add it all up, there just isn't enough time to do it all so I often don't do any of it. Recently I had an encouraging thought: do I have 5 minutes? Yes, I do. Isn't it worth spending some time (even only 5 minutes) on these activities if they are important to me? I think so.

When it comes to time with God, what can happen in 5 minutes? Here are some of my experiences:

Reading a passage of Scripture (for example: Psalm 62 takes only 30 seconds to read) and then answering the question: what does this passage teach me about God? From Psalm 62: My soul finds rest in Him; my salvation comes from Him; He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; my hope comes from Him; He is my mighty rock, my refuge; He is strong; He is loving; He will reward each person according to what they have done.

Confessing a sin that I've committed and is heavy on my heart AND receiving forgiveness.

Tell God how great He is, praising and thanking Him.

Praying for the person I know is facing a challenge today.

Sitting still, looking out the window, and listening to the Holy Spirit speak to me.

Does it really make a difference? Yes! Think about your friendships. Did any of them start by a series of 5 minute conversations after class or during coffee break? Think about how much you appreciate a 5 minute conversation with someone you love. Even 5 minutes a day of time with God will help you get to know Him more and experience His great love.

And it does add up. 5 minutes a day for 1 year equals over 30 hours of time. If you did that all at once, it would be a retreat with God from 9 am Saturday to 3 pm Sunday(without sleeping)!

Comments

  1. dominiqueSeptember 16, 2010 at 3:34 PM

    Thanks Tracy...you are so right...i am very much like you in the fact that I too disregard something because of the time i think it should take. Thanks for the reminder that so much can be accomplished through God in just 5 minutes!!!
    God Bless you...we miss you...
    Dominique

    ReplyDelete
  2. jessSeptember 22, 2010 at 4:27 PM

    Tracy!!

    You are absolutely right. That's a big hang up of mine. I don't have time for a church service, or to talk to a very important friend about my spiritual walk ;) I always feel rushed to get so much done and at the end of the day I'm completely depleated. I like the way you think, and I'm starting to build time into my day for the IMPORTANT things (not what work thinks is important, but what genuinely is).

    Miss you lots.

    ReplyDelete

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