At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God.(Luke 6:12, The Message)
Have you ever been convicted?
I became convicted by a random text I received from a man I have never met. I received one of his books as a gift and started reading immediately. I really liked his message and actually called him, as we had some mutual friends in golf. We exchanged phone numbers and pleasant conversation, and we promised to get together.
A few weeks later I received a text from him asking if I had finished reading the book. I replied that I had not but intended to. You know how that goes. I may have a problem of starting books then not finishing them.
Immediately I received this text response from him: “Don’t read it. It will convict even you. It speaks to our ‘busy work’ for God all the while ignoring an intimate relationship with Christ. So, we waste our lives and don’t realize it until it is too late because we are too busy to spend meaningful time with our Savior!!!”
My initial response: Hey buddy, what are you talking about? You don’t know me. But Jesus does, and he got my attention. I reflected on my schedule and realized that I do study the Bible a lot as I prepare to facilitate different Links Fellowships, to teach our Sunday school class, to write my Links Players devotionals, and to finish a book I am writing.
I thought about what Jesus would say: “Yes, you are busy in my work, but what about intimate time with me?”
Then I remembered the valuable life lesson I learned years ago from Robert Boyd Munger in his little booklet, My Heart – Christ’s Home. Munger reflected on what Jesus might say to a busy person who has neglected simple, quiet, quality time with Jesus. The soft, affirming words of Jesus might say: “The trouble is that you have been thinking of the quiet time, of Bible study and prayer, as a means for your own spiritual growth. This is true, but have you forgotten that this time means something to me also. Remember, I love you. At a great cost I redeemed you. I value your fellowship. Just to have you look into my face warms my heart. Don’t neglect this hour, if only for my sake.”
Jesus knew this truth. That may be a big part of the reason that he spent all night in prayer with his Father. He must have known that it warmed his Father’s heart for him to spend time with his Father.
This conviction led to a new dynamic in my quiet time that I will share with you next month. The application of this truth may impact your life as it has mine.
—
Randy Wolff
January 7, 2015
Copyright 2015 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.