I have a confession to make. I look for reasons not to exercise.
Actually, that’s not true. I don’t have to look for reasons not to exercise. I hate exercising. I don’t talk myself out of it; I have to talk myself into it.
You know what? I feel like many of us are the same way with our time with God. Oh, most of us wouldn’t say that we hate spending time with God. I don’t think many of us would be that bold. But that’s the way we act. We try to talk ourselves into reading our Bible or praying. We defend our inaction—our inability to spend time with God--by finding lots of good reasons why we don’t.
We say we don’t have time.
We say we don’t understand it.
We say we’ve heard it all before.
We say we’re too tired.
We say it’s too difficult to read.
We say we can’t hear God speaking to us; so, it doesn’t matter.
We say a lot of things, and none of those things really makes us feel any better. We know they are pretty lame excuses.
I’m not preaching just to you. I’m as guilty as anyone else. So, let’s just admit it.
We don’t really want to spend time with God, do we?
Because, honestly, if we did, we would make the time.
We would study harder.
We would search for the treasures hidden in God’s Word.
We would wake up earlier or stay up later.
We would get an easier-to-read version or a Bible commentary.
We would spend time in silence, listening for God’s voice.
So, why don’t we? Think about it.
Can you imagine never talking to your children or hearing them talk to you?
Can you imagine never having a conversation with your spouse?
Can you imagine going to work everyday and never communicating with anyone at the office?
Can you imagine never calling or texting your best friend?
Of course, we can’t. It’s absurd. Relationships are built on communication. Our relationship with the Lord is no exception. So, if we’re going to be rebellious or lazy or whatever it is that we want to call it, let’s at least be honest about it. If we aren’t going to spend time studying God’s Word or praying or spending time trying to get to know Him better, let’s just say it. It’s because we don’t really want to.
That’s not just a problem, that’s THE problem.
That’s why we have to examine our hearts. If we are really God’s children, if we really have a relationship with Christ, then we will want to communicate with Him.
And, when we want to do something, we get it done.
What’s keeping you from spending time in God’s word?