Does God Have Just Some of Your Time?

"We ought to obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29b).

From my travels, I came to realize Americans are much more time conscious than most of the world. We stay so busy, we often have to make schedules so we can keep up with it all. 

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:3).

Christians sometimes approach their faith the same way. They schedule in the time they plan to give to God. He usually gets Sunday mornings and perhaps some other slots for special programs or events. But when He's not on the agenda, He gets very little thought. This is not how God created us to be. 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Years ago, I had the privilege of spending a summer in India on a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship. Although India is a predominately Hindu nation, it spoke to my Christian faith. One thing that I learned is that our faith should be a part of everything we do. It's not to be put into slots and pulled out when we think it's needed. It should make up the core of who we are and permeate everything. Whatever we do should be done with God, to God, and for God.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).

The words to "I Surrender All" by J.W. Van Deventer express what our attitudes should be:

I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender; All to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him, In his presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at his feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender; Make me, Savior, wholly thine;
Fill me with thy love and power; Truly know that thou art mine.
All to Jesus I surrender; Lord, I give myself to thee;
Fill me with thy love and power; Let thy blessing fall on me.
All to Jesus I surrender; Now I feel the sacred flame;
O the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory to his name!
I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

May it be the song of all our lives.

_________________________________________