Spending Time Doing What?
"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming
the time," (Col. 4:5).
Do you spend any time seriously working to improve your attitude. First, it is
necessarily to use the Word of God to examine your mental condition and attitude
(Psa. 139:23,24). Are you impatient toward people? Do you hold grudges? Do you
carry angry thoughts in your heart day after day (in violation of Eph. 4:26,27)?
Once the Word of God convicts you of any sin of attitude, you have the
responsibility to act on that conviction. How much time do you spend thinking,
praying and consciously working on having a better attitude? It is a full-time
job.
Do you spend any time visiting people? Jesus gave a sobering scene of the final
judgment in Matthew 25. One good trait commended in that passage is, visiting
disciples in need. One cause of judgment against the wicked is, "you did not
visit Me" (Matt. 25:43). One of the steps Moses took toward his usefulness as a
servant of God was, "it came into his heart to visit his brethren," (Acts 7:23).
In our modern fast-paced time, we easily neglect this simple duty. Or, we assume
somebody else will do it (like "the preacher"). How much time do you spend
visiting people?
Do you spend any time listening to people? One of the most important assets you
have to give to others is, listening. Listening is not just being silent while
someone talks. Good listening requires paying attention, being receptive,
understanding and responsive. We can learn things about people, putting us in a
better position to serve them and teach them. And, we can learn things we need
to know about ourselves (see Prov. 19:20).
Do you spend any time reading the Bible? We certainly know, it is a great
privilege to have the Word of God in written form in our language. The
Scriptures are not held by a privileged class. You can own your own copy. But
ownership or physical possession of the book doesn't change your life. You'll
have to take the time to read it, study it, contemplate it, then apply it. Do
you do that?
