The Dreaded Chapter Four

Well, here I go again. Diving into chapter four.

If you haven’t reached it yet, I warn you… brace yourself. There will be some tough questions ahead, but I encourage you to think about the questions Francis’s poses to you. Try not to skim over them and wonder if they apply to someone else. Really stop and think about each one. It will be tough. You might not like the answers, but without a little pain it’s hard to see the need to grow.

Most of us know the parable of the sower and the seeds (If you don’t- read Luke 8:4-15). When you read it, did you automatically think you were the good soil? I did. But are we really the thorny ground? How many things distracted you from God today? If you’re like me, hundreds. Our lives are so busy.

My mom is constantly telling me to “slow down.” She’s told me over and over that I have too much on my plate. I need to say no to things and make a little time for me. To some degree she’s right. I look at how busy my life is and I realize that I do need to regulate what I fill it with, but not so I can have more time for me, but rather for more time for God.

Time killers. They are the things I need to regulate.  Things that rob me of time I could be spending with God. Television would be the biggest one for me. That one is a no brainer. But how about the car radio? Now this might not work for those of you with kids, but what if we-DARE I SAY IT- turned off the radio and prayed while we drove. I would have at least 30 extra minutes of prayer time a day! How about this one? Social Networking sites. There’s a time robber for some people. Sleep would be another one for me. Can you think of ones that apply to your life?

I’ll leave you with one of the tough questionsFrancis will ask you. “Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? Or do the words halfhearted, lukewarm and partially committed fit better?”

Think about it…..