Time.
We all want more of it.
We all tend to waste it.
We all need to give more of it. Our time.
As I finish up one of the most amazing, yet simple, books I've ever read in the non-fiction Christian genre, I am sharing here some treasures I've learned from the author. The book is One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity by D. Macomber.
All of the chapters and Scriptures the author shares have been good but this section on being generous with our time really spoke to me. I could use some improvement in this area and have just begun to put some of these tips into action! I encourage you to do the same!
- Inspire Hope in someone: "We don't need to be professionally or theologically trained to offer hope and encouragement. We just need to be present." Time. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1: 3&4
- Invest in Important Things: "Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people." Galatians 6: 9 & 10 By investing in important things, like our families/friends, neighbors, church acquaintances, worthy causes/volunteer work/missions, and just general good deeds, the value of our time will multiply. Being generous with our time, relates to seeking the Kingdom of God. How does this work? Jesus tells us in the following Scriptures: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'". Matthew 22:37-39.
- Make time in your marriage. (this could be a whole other post). This is an area that Dave and I (lately, as in the last few weeks) need to improve upon. It seems like we give so much more time to our children, to friends, work, neighbors, ministry, than to each other. And that is not good. We are married for life.....this means we are partners. We need to invest in each other, in time, with and for each other if we want to continue to have a successful marriage. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out. Are we fulfilling the 2 greatest commands within our own marriage?? if not.....yikes! This doesn't mean we are going on more dates. It does mean we need to make time to just be. With each other. Connecting. Physically and emotionally intimate. Which will aid in spiritual intimacy. Time. Our marriages need us to be generous in this.
"God is the master of time. When we seek His wisdom on where to invest our time we are certain to invest well." (pg.165)
- Make time for prayer. Prayer works. God gives us His time by listening to each and every prayer. Let's return the favor.....give Him time by talking to Him, listening for His still, small Voice, and possibly prayer journaling. (I tend to prayer journal as it is an easier way for me to pray and it cuts down on distractions.)
- Take time to share your faith story (testimony). Do it. Start out by sharing how you became a born-again Christian by telling it to a trusted friend. The more you share your faith, the more confident you will be to further share, and take the time, to share the Gospel to anyone God gives opportunity for. Look for those opportunities.
A summary of the book: "The best way for us to share the lifestyle of generosity is to model it. The heart that chooses to serve others will multiply the happiness in this world and reap the eternal reward of joy in heaven. Such a heart is aligned with the very heart of God." (pg 200)
Simple Acts of Generosity
- Be grateful for all things.
- Share with others.
- Perform acts of encouragement.
- Do good deeds/random acts of kindness.
- Expand the impact of forgiveness.
- Believe the best of others/situations.
- Give open-handedly.
- Practice the art of listening.
- Inspire hope.
- Share the spirit of Christmas. All year round.
- Donate the bounty of time.
- Pray
- Share your faith stories.
- Cultivate the heart of service. Simply serve!
- Give GOD the last word in how you invest your life.
Simple Acts........"in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.....""
2 comments:
This sounds like a really inspiring book. Sharing time is always a biggie. Sometimes it seems because of the long hours I work, I just want to veg and hide out in the house and play hermit. But there really are so many different ways to share time. I too really need to work on time in our marriage, especially now that hubby is working a different shift and won't be home until later in the evening. We're going to have to be very thoughtful and intentional. It's so easy to let it slip.
Susanne: YES it WAS an inspiring book...I even gave a couple of xmas gifts to people I don't normally think of as friends...only because I don't really know them...it felt good and I knew it was something the Lord was nudging me to do. Just simple acts! :) and yes....if we are honest, I would guess most of us need more time for our marriages....it always seems children and housework comes first...and that shouldn't be the case! Our husbands are our life partners!! Hugs to you!!
Post a Comment