Huntington Church of Christ

We are an "On-The-Run" people. We read on the run, study on the run, eat on the run, shave on the run, talk on the run and even cook on the run. Trouble is, we "run" past some important things that really deserve our time and attention.

Many people are so busy running around they have no time for God. Too busy to read and study the Bible. Too rushed. Too tired. Too busy to think about eternal preparation of the soul. We pass by opportunities and invitations to obey the Lord. One day, those opprotunities will be no more. Day by day we seek only those things that appeal to the flesh, thinking nothing about the value of our soul. We have a command to teach the gospel to those of this world (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15), but too often we excuse ourselves from that great work because we are just too busy with other things. Jesus reminds us of what is most important. "Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

Many parents run past their children on the way to work, on the way to social gatherings and community affairs. They have no time to play catch, hear their problems, help with their projects -- no time to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Constantly on the run, we have no time to pray with our children. No time to help them learn the Bible or talk about spiritual subjects. We certainly have spending money, automobiles, televisions, stereos, clothes -- we just don't have any time.

On the run! Too busy! No time ! Is that really the problem? No. These are merely scapegoats to excuse ourselves. We determine the priorities in our lives; most of us do what we want and take the time for what we want. Amazingly, we can find time to hunt, play baseball, and attend social functions, but suddenly we are helpless in finding time for God or our families. We need to stop deceiving ourselves. Time is a resource to be invested as we choose. "Look carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15,16). Time is to be our slave, not our master! Let's use our time in view of eternity. Slow down! As they say, "Take time to smell the roses" -- and prepare for heaven.

"Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that."

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ