“What do you do?”

It’s a common question when people first meet.

We often describe ourselves by our occupation or our hobbies, or sometimes by our family.

If someone has a job they are less than happy in, they may skip over it to describe their interest in motor sports.

Where we use our time and attention is an excellent indication of what we value.

Our values and beliefs are what make up our world view, which includes how we see ourselves.

For the follower of Christ Jesus, what we do should be a reflection of who we are in Him.

How we view ourselves, others, and life should all be founded upon the Word of God.

For Jesus spoke a great deal about what those who follow Him should value.

John 13:34 NKJV — “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:35 NKJV — “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Matthew 5:44 NKJV — “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

The New Testament is full of instruction for the follower.

Ephesians 4:1-3NKJV — I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:12-14NKJV — Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Understanding that what we do and where we spend our time is often a reflection of what we value.

How will you choose to answer the next time someone asks you:

“What do you do?”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for bringing this to my attention, that I might use future opportunities to testify of You and how You have done so much for me and my family. Lord, I want all that I do and say to reflect Your love for others. Lord, please continue to teach me how to walk in today with love and compassion, discerning the season, and redeeming the time. Lord, I don’t want to waste Your gifts. Please help me to value what You do. Please teach me how to use my time wisely, guarding myself from the “busyness” which can eat away from the things I truly value. Lord, thank You for Your love. Thank You for salvation. I want my life to say, “I’m a follower of Jesus.” I love You, Lord. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

Time

My times are in Your hand;

Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,

And from those who persecute me.

Psalm 31:15

And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

And knowledge to those who have understanding.

Dan. 2:21

And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

Acts 1:7

The Lord is in charge of the times and seasons.

Our lives, as well as the lives of countless people before us, have existed inside the restraints of time.

But God doesn’t.

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2 Peter 3:8

God is outside of time, because it was something He created.

And inside this time frame He placed the human race.

Understanding that God both created time as well as every single person, it is logical to conclude that we should pay attention to what He has to say about time.

Col. 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed…But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:11&14

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16

God’s Word is full of wisdom and He clearly states what is true, what is right, and the way to live to the fullest in the time we have.

Not with lives spent focused on pleasure or self-love, not with chasing after wealth or power or status, but a life devoted to Christ Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.

Time spent in relationship with Him is never wasted.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for time. Thank You for giving us Your Word, that we might find life and that more abundantly. Thank You for walking with us through all times and having such love and grace for each one of us. Lord, it is only through You that we can find truth, purpose, or anything worthwhile. Lord, only in You do we find the meaning of life and the use for time. Please help me to spend my time wisely and to be drawing every day from Your wisdom and walking in Your ways. Thank You. Amen.

Walking

It’s been an interesting morning.

God blessed me with energy enough to get up and make my husband breakfast.

Which I truly thanked Him for.

As I buttered his English muffins, I thought of how many breakfasts were served to me as I lay sick in bed.

I talked with my husband about my schedule this morning.

My comments included how I’d neglected to have our daughter teach me how to host a zoom meeting so Jase’s speech teacher.

“So, we will have to talk on the phone.”

He opened my laptop and showed me how to do host a zoom meeting!

Then packed his lunch, kissed me, and headed to work.

What a blessing!

My husband is such a support and encouragement. His job has been a gift from God.

To still have regular employment with so many out of work, is humbling, but really appreciated.

Jase and I prepared for the zoom meeting. Then we sat listening to his teacher, discussing his activities, planning. It was good.

Jase has never done a meeting like this and it was pretty stressful for him.

After it was over I automatically started thinking about getting his math lesson going.

I hadn’t realized just how difficult the meeting had been.

But Jase’s reaction to my comment on getting his math out spoke volumes.

I left the room for a moment, and told him to work on relaxing.

I grabbed the cleaner and started scrubbing toilets, because sometimes I need to clean while thinking.

In this case it was praying.

You haven’t had your walk.

I knew the Lord was reminding me for more than one reason.

My doctor wants me to walk for half an hour five days a week and I’ve struggled with doing it lately.

But today was a perfect day to make sure I got my walk in.

Heading back into the living room I asked Jase.

“Want to go for a walk?”

He didn’t hesitate.

Pretty soon we were striding down the sidewalk.

Jase was telling me about his friends who moved away this week.

Sometimes I’d point to a flower or plant and tell him the name.

A few times we met other people, always keeping distance, but friendly with a kind nod and “Good morning!”.

Our walk was half over when I remembered.

Last summer, while living with our oldest girl and hubby, Jase and I had taken many walks, nearly every day.

I hadn’t thought about them in a long time, but I realized why they were so important.

During our walking, Jase had free time to talk to me about anything he wanted to.

There wasn’t a limit nor an agenda, he could just tell me things.

As I listened to him this morning, it was crystal clear that I’ve not been allowing him enough time to do that.

But there’s never a better time to change than today.

I’ll rearrange my schedule and make sure we walk together.

Because I don’t want to miss the opportunity for him to talk to me.

It’s all to real, these days, that life doesn’t go the way we expect or plan.

The only time I can redeem is the time I’m in.

And I’m so glad God blessed me this morning with cooking breakfast, having a meeting, and walking with Jase.

Praise the Lord!