One of the most difficult habits to establish as a Christian can be that of spending time daily in God’s Word. Perhaps because it’s vital to our walk with Christ, our flesh finds it easy to fill our hours with other tasks.
Reading in Acts 4 last week, I came across a verse that has convicted me before in this area. As the religious leaders question Peter and John, they are amazed by the boldness with which they speak. Verse 13 says, “…and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
While I can’t physically spend the day with Jesus, I am privileged as His child to be able to enter His presence through prayer and Bible reading. However, I have to ask myself if I am taking advantage of this opportunity and is it making a difference in how I relate to others.
As I greet the day with my family, sending my husband off to work and getting our daughters started with homeschooling, can they tell that I’ve been with Jesus? When I encounter a grouchy clerk at the grocery store or talk to the librarian as we check out books, can they sense that I’ve spent time with Jesus?
I desire for the time I use praying and reading my Bible to effect the rest of my day, that it not just be a ritual I perform. By God’s grace, may others I encounter today be able to say that I have been with Jesus.
Tracey, I have considered that very thought often. I treasure the time I spend with the LORD each morning. I love the peace and joy I feel during that time and pray that it spills over into the rest of my day so others may see Him.
This really spoke to me this morning… It especially spoke to me because of a Bible verse my children have been learning lately, and your blog post here made me think spending time with Him in His Word is important, but even if we have forgotten to read the Word on a particular day, our behaviour should still speak of being with Him if we are a child of God – after all He lives IN us! The verse my children have been learning is "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal 2:20)
Thanks for the thought provoking post, Tracey.