By: Scott Elliott
We hear it a lot in athletics: “Can you adjust my son’s soccer practice time? It overlaps with his baseball practice, swim lessons, and two basketball games.” I know this happens in many families in other aspects of their lives too, but when is too much, too much?
We all get caught up in our daily lives and somehow forget how to say "no" to all the “things” that are presented to us. Before we know it, our lives are kidnapped by our careers, hobbies and even our kids. When do we fit time in for our Creator? Does He become an after-thought? We end up replenishing our mind and body, but forget our spirit.
Matthew 6 is rich in how Jesus teaches us how to pray, about giving to the needy, and yes, even how to spend our time effectively for His glory. Verses 19-21 teach us about “storing up for yourselves treasures” (using money as the example – but it relates to all things). If our “treasures” are our kids, our hobbies, or our time, then our spiritual vision becomes blocked with what God has planned for us. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (v. 21).
The more we fill our lives (and our families too) with more “stuff”, the less time we have to spend with God. Our intention should be to seek the fulfillment of God’s purposes in all we do, not just in what we do with our money. These “things” will soon become our idols and then our desires will start outweighing our commitment to God and spiritual matters.
As a parent, it's important to evaluate not only what you spend your time doing, but also what your family unit is doing. Do you sometimes find yourself frustrated that the “family dinner time” no longer exists because your daughter has cheerleading practice and your son has a football game? It’s hard, but start learning to say "no" to certain things. I know a parent who has a policy (which I agree with) with each of their kids that they are allowed to participate in only one activity (other than school) per season. This kind of plan can lessen the tension not only for our family, but it also allows our kids to enjoy growing up and still have enough time to spend doing family things, which also includes their spiritual growth.
God wants us to be happy and enjoy life, but keeping ourselves too busy often interferes with our spiritual well-being. Instead of us overloading our daily schedules, maybe we should heed the words of the psalmist: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This will allow us more time to reflect on our lives, spend more precious moments with our families, and spend more time in the word and exalting our Creator.
