What’s More Valuable Than 15 Minutes?

What can you do in 15 minutes? Watch half a sitcom? Rush through the day’s happenings on Facebook and email? Remove your chipped toenail polish and apply two coats of a new color? Let’s be honest, 15 minutes isn’t a lot of time.

Unless someone’s asking us to spend it with God.

Why is that? Is it because He’s Almighty God, so if we can’t find 45 minutes to an hour to spend with Him (which we don’t) we figure it’s not worth His time? Or are we too busy filling our 15 minute slots with TV and internet and “me time”? Or could it be that we don’t know what we would say for 15 whole minutes if we were sitting in God’s presence?

Or do we just not think about spending time with God one-on-one?

Many of us feel like we don’t have the kind of relationship with God that we should. Other people talk about how they hear God, but we don’t. Or we’re not sure if we do. And spending time with God? There have been plenty of times that we intended to read the Bible or focus on prayer. Once in a while we actually set aside the time, for a day or two. But then we get distracted, or we don’t understand what we read, or we feel like we’re talking to the wall.

Why is it that some people can connect with God, but for some of us it doesn’t seem to work?

Instead of asking “Why?”, let’s get to the heart of the matter. God isn’t interested in rituals or prescribed prayers. He doesn’t care about the “good” things we do that prove we’re on the right track. He doesn’t keep score or add bonus points when we go above and beyond the call of duty. It’s not about doing. It’s about being. Being with Him.

What if God were to tell us exactly what it would take to “connect” with Him? Would you do it? No matter what? Our answer will determine whether or not we’ll be able to truly connect with God.

If we’re looking for peace, prosperity, protection and blessing––all the things we believe will give us good feelings and bring the good life we dream about––well, then, the reality is that we probably won’t be connecting with God on a deep level anytime soon. Why not? Because we’re basically looking to use God and ride His coattails.

If we stop looking for what we can get out of the relationship and instead start looking for God, then we’ll find Him.

So we’re back to the most important question of the day: What if God were to tell us exactly what it would take to “connect” with Him? Would you do it? No matter what? If so, then here’s the answer: 15 minutes. Okay, I admit this is a simplified answer, but hang with me here.

God wants our time. We show what’s most important in our lives by what we give our time and uninterrupted attention to. And just like we long for blocks of quality time with the people we love most, so too God longs for time with us. Unfortunately, we rarely, if ever, give it to Him.

So here’s the 15 minute challenge. Are you willing to spend 15 minutes at the start of each day reading God’s Word, delving into what He’s actually saying, and asking Him how it applies to your life? 15 minutes each morning, letting go of your agenda for the day and connecting with God so you can follow Him for the rest of the day.

Two things I’ll say about 15 minutes with God. First, if you really commit to doing this, you will never be the same again. God will meet you wherever you are. Tell Him what you’re doing. Ask Him to show up each morning and reveal Himself to you through His Word. Ask Him to unlock mysteries and connect with you like never before. Ask Him to take away anything that keeps you from Him. God loves prayers like that. So be ready, because if you’re truly asking from your heart, He will answer.

Second, if you really commit to doing this, you’ll find out very quickly that 15 minutes isn’t very long at all. Initially, it may seem like it goes slowly. Use a timer if you need to. God won’t mind because you’re making the effort and offering your time to Him. And as you get into what you’re reading, it’s going to fly by. So you may decide to spend 15 minutes reading and meditating on God’s Word, and another 15 minutes talking to Him in prayer. It’s still a 15 minute challenge, but in two parts. Don’t give up on the idea now just because there’s a curve ball option. Start with 15 minutes and then take it from there.

What’s more valuable than 15 minutes? Nothing if we’re spending it with God.

“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13

May I pray?

Almighty God, sometimes we’re intimidated by You. We don’t really know who You are or what Your voice sounds like. We don’t know how to connect with You, or if You want to connect with us. Father, we commit to You today 15 minutes. In some ways it doesn’t seem like much, but in some ways it seems like an eternity. Please meet us wherever we are when we come before You. Meet us in Your Word and in prayer for our 15 minutes a day. Hear us calling for You. Speak to us. Allow us to find You. May our love for You grow deep as we meet You each day. Amen.

Q4U: What’s more important in your life than 15 minutes with God each day?

 

 

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