How Are You Spending Your Time? - Crosswalk the Devotional - May 19
How Are You Spending Your Time?
by Debbie Holloway, Crosswalk.com Contributor
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands (1 Thess. 4:11).
Sometimes on my way home from work I drive under a highway overpass and see large posterboard signs and flags being waved about, which read, "IMPEACH OBAMA." I suppose there is a very dedicated group of people near the area who have made it their mission to share their dislike of our President with everyone commuting out of the city. And while I certainly think it's any citizen's prerogative to disagree with, dislike, or even desire impeachment of any political leader… seeing those banners and signs always sends a frown to my face, and a wave of disappointment over my heart. I think to myself, "Instead of doing anything creative or productive, these no-doubt passionate and hardworking folks are spending hours and hours of their time… trying to get someone else fired."
In a world of endless Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter streams, sometimes we feel we have to shout louder and be bolder just to get noticed at all. It seems to be true especially in the political arena; normally only the wealthiest, well-funded, and over-advertised of those running for office are able to get their names on the ballot. But in such a frenzied atmosphere of opinions and beliefs and convictions and anger, it seems that Christians might need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and learn to live a little more quietly.
Likewise, the Teacher from Ecclesiastes muses:
“No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it” (8:17).
The further we go along in life, the more we recognize that our toil and striving is chasing after the wind; that our supposed "wisdom" really just shows us how little we actually know. Especially when it comes to divisive matters (matters over which families have torn apart and nations have fought wars) it behooves followers of Christ to live with humility and gentleness in our convictions.
"It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent" (Proverbs 11:12).
Intersecting Faith and Life: When you look back on your life years from now, how will you feel about the way you chose to spend your time, and the words you chose to speak? Will you be pleased with your choices, or will you find yourself echoing the words from Ecclesiastes: "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few" (5:2).
Further Reading
Video: How Ought Christians Most Effectively Use Their Time to Shape Culture?
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