A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

Ps. 90:12

 

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

 

Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, wrote a book entitled, Too Busy Not to Pray: Slowing Down to be with God.  It would, by the way, make an excellent study for a Bible Study or small home group.  The point of Hybels’ book is that people run out of time because they don’t use the time they have wisely.  When a person takes time out of their day to pray, God gives that person more time.  God can do that . . . it is one of the perks He gets for being God.  Your logic won’t teach you that, however, it has to be learned in the lab; you have to try it to discover that it is true.

 

Even though he doesn’t deal with all of it in his book, Hybels’ basic principle can be applied to nearly everything in the Christian life, not just their prayer life.  Christians don’t have enough opportunity, for example, because they don’t use the talent they have in wise and Christ-honoring ways.  Christians don’t have enough money because they don’t use the money they have as God intended.  The truth is that we are all too busy not to pray and we are all too poor not to give.  “But pastor, we ARE busy, and we DO run out of resources.”  Yes, I know.  I experience those limitations too; even the Psalmist had those same problems.  And so he prayed to God, “Teach us.”   Teach us, Lord, HOW to think about these things.  Correct our foolishness.  Teach us how to use our time, talent, and treasure in ways that please You.  Teach us how to live in Your blessing rather than in the stress and anxiety of human endeavor.  I guess we all could chime in on that chorus:  Lord, give US a heart of wisdom.  Help us trust Your heart. 

 

Pastor Keith Andrews