Time Out!

A few days ago, the Northwestern Wildcats took on the Fighting Illini.  The university basketball players on both sides had done their drills, honed their skills and practiced specific plays designed to take the ball away from the foe and into the team’s own basket.  But in the excitement, all seemed to be forgotten.  The game began with a flurry of ball-grabbing, missed baskets, and foul upon foul.  When the frenzy resulted in players sprawled on the floor crazily grasping the ball like selfish three year olds, the first time-out was called, a short breather to break the madness, regroup, come back to reality, and put strategy ahead of mindless desperation.  After each time-out, the players seemed renewed in their quest, focused rather than frantic.

Just a few days into 2012, it may seem that the year has surged into a sense of urgent lunacy.  We are either sinking into the ever-present miry bog of activities, responsibilities and temporary madness…or wobbling precariously on the thinnest of wires suspended above what now appears a bottomless pit of despair.  Already, a time-out is in order – to dispel our irrational fears and get a grip.

There is, however, a completely different time-out that does not wait until the point of despair or frenzy.  It is a time-out that will change your mind, your heart, and your life.  Early in December, I emailed several of my busiest friends from all walks and seasons of life and asked them about their daily habits.  They answered as if in unison.  Each one of them spends time reading God’s Word every day.  They intentionally take a time-out to read the Bible before their erratic day even starts.   These are not complacent people who sit around lamenting, “well, i have completely emptied my in-box, answered everyone on Facebook, cleaned my closets, there is nothing on TV, I guess I will –reluctantly— read my Bible.”  These are the busiest people I know, from young moms to busy executives with no time to spare, dawn to deep into the night.  And every one of them said that they cannot afford NOT to start the day with Scripture.

From a very active mom with three small children: 

An extra 30 minutes of sleep-time is precious to a mom with young children, but I've found that spending those 30 minutes in God's word and presence before my day begins it's break-neck speed instead of spending an extra few minutes with my head on the pillow refreshes me in a way that I never could receive if I were still languishing in bed!

My view and reactions towards both the big things and the small things are impacted greatly by spending time with Him at the beginning of each day- THAT is a game changer in this stage of life.

A time-out with God will make your day more efficient and fruitful, because you have already listened to the Coach.  His Word is not designed to follow you into the day, but go before to guide, refocus and strengthen – no matter what ferocious team you face. 

Your Word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.

                  Psalm 119.105