READY:
“Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
SET:
The thought of putting one more thing on your to-do list is about as appealing as cleaning the gutters on your house. Coaches already have a long daily list of tasks that does not include the tasks of our everyday lives. The list is virtually endless. But the Bible tells us that when we walk with Jesus there is freedom. Sitting to study our Bible or taking time to pray is not one more thing on our list but a life-giving moment that draws us closer to God.
The Spirit of the Lord is in the Bible so there is freedom there. The Spirit of the Lord is in our time of prayer so there is freedom there. On the surface it looks like another task but in our lives and hearts it is freedom. Freedom from worry when we turn our concerns over to Him. Freedom from uncertainty when we seek answers from His Word.
It doesn’t really make sense to us. How can doing one more thing actually free us? The prophet Isaiah discusses it in Isaiah 55:8-11. The ways of God are not our ways – they don’t always make sense. Like when I try to teach a new offense to my players, and they can’t figure out what was wrong with the old offense. We cannot grasp God’s ways, but Isaiah also tells us that God’s words, “will not return empty but [it] will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” The time we spend with God is time He is using as He pleases and in ways to bring Him glory.
GO:
- How can you prioritize time with God each day?
- What benefits have you experienced from time in the Bible or prayer?
WORKOUT:
- Isaiah 55:8-11
- 1 Timothy 3:16-17
OVERTIME:
“Lord, I do not always use my time well. I want to make time with You in Your Word and prayer a priority. Help me to recognize the benefits of that time in my life and grow my desire to spend more time with You. In Your name, amen.”