Time Spent!

An approach some mattress sales people take in convincing us to buy a good quality (and usually expensive) mattress, is by helping us see how much time we spend in bed. People pay a lot for COMFORTABLE chairs, couches, and other such furnishings for the home, while at the same time giving little thought to the quality of the mattress on which they sleep. If we sleep an average of 8 hours per night, that is 2,920 hours a year or 204,400 hours by age seventy. By that age it would be (if I did my math correctly) a total of just over 23 years spent in bed. Are we resting in COMFORT?

I recently came across a statistic which really caught my attention. It also addressed the idea of time spent. And compared to the time we spend sleeping it doesn’t appear to ask for much from us and yet many choose to spend even less time than the statistic represents.

Someone has figured… “To spend 1 1/2 years in church in a relative life span of 70, one must, on the day of his birth, begin to spend five minutes of each morning and every evening in devotions, plus three hours per week in church.” [source: “Encyclopedia Of 7700 Illustrations”, compiled by Paul L.
Tan, (Garland TX: Bible Communications)]

That doesn’t seem like much in comparison. For a focus which can bring TRUE COMFORT to life, why is it so often neglected? 1 1/2 years seems like so little time compared to 70 years. And it is nothing compared to the eternity to which such time is linked.

The psalmist, David, joyfully expressed…
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE Lord!’” ( Psalm 122:1 ESV)

Some just can’t wait to get to bed. David couldn’t wait to worship. Do we share that joy when we consider the opportunities we have to gather with other believers? How eager are we with regard to time shared in Bible study and worship?

Note also the psalmist’s description of the one who flourishes spiritually.
“(1) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (2) but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT.” ( Psalm 1:1-2 ESV)

Daily time focusing on God’s Word keeps it fresh on our minds to be focused on throughout the other activities of the day. Such time helps safeguard our life, keeping it on track in accordance with God’s Will.

In the New Testament the Hebrew writer gave the following exhortation:
“(24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER, AS IS THE HABIT OF SOME, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ( Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

To be neglectful in time spent with God and with our brothers and sisters in Christ is to miss the opportunities to be enriched as well as to encourage and be encouraged. Let us recognize the importance of spending much time in this way. Such will help us to daily experience the COMFORT of resting on God’s promises and Will.

Have a great day FOCUSED FOR REAL REST FOR THE SOUL!
Carl

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