God Himself declares Himself a jealous God so make time for Him (Exo 34:14). We all have busy lives and at time we are moving so fast that we forget to breath. Life will never slow down. There will always be things we want or need to get done. At the same time, God has a plan for us (Jer 29:11). Distractions are at every corner we turn. Smart phones aren’t making people smarter. We have all our shows to watch on all the different streaming services. We have demanding careers and businesses to run. We have family, friends and pets to attend to. We have to go to the gym and run our regular errands. Sometimes we just need a little more “me time”. I’m not trying to beat up anyone. I just described a lot of my excuses I’ve had in the past. We have to start using our smart phones to consume as much of Jesus as we can. It’s as easy as creating playlists called “Church” and listening to all the Faith/Grace Jesus podcast available to us so we can drown out the world’s distractions. We have every flavor of the Bible available at our fingertips via App Stores. Give our jealous God the time he deserves. Hear the Good Shepherds voice and follow Him (Jhn 10:27). That is where we will find true peace and true purpose.
When you give God the attention and focus, doors will be open. My blessed career in IT has all come from hearing and following God’s instructions. My first professional job out of college was the lowest paying job out of all my university colleagues. I knew this and this wasn’t fun and I had the urge to seek out a higher paying job. On the other hand, God was telling me to hang on and wait. I waited for 4 years watching as my colleagues were buying brand new shiny cars and other nice toys. I chose to listen to God’s instructions and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the blessings that I continue to reap. It turns out those first 4 years have been the most important years of my professional career. Little did I know that I was being mentored by 3 of the most brilliant engineers I have run into thus far in my career. Iron sharpens iron and boy was I being sharpened (Pro 27:17). The first year I felt like an insect among these giants but God knew I’d be up for the challenge. By the end of the tenure there, I was well sharpened and ready to start climbing up the career ladder. I’m bragging on Jesus now, but by the 6th year from graduating from university I was now the highest paid person among my colleagues and my annual salary has increased every year since for the past 12 years including this year. Looking back now, I would’ve been a fool to leave my first job for a higher paying job when God said to stay put. God is always speaking to us and it’s when we give God the attention and focus that we are able to hear God’s instructions. God is good.
Exodus 34:14 NIV Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
John 10:27 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Proverbs 27:17 NIV As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.