It’s Time to Shine
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I don’t know about you but I feel like there are times I am riding a roller coaster. I know what I want to do with my time but then I am hitting the curves or thrown for a loop and my time begins to vanish. Ever feel like that? I know you do and if you’re anything like me, you want off that ride. Let’s go because it’s our time to shine!
What I do with my time is important. What I do with the time that God gives me is more important. I don’t want to feel the weight of being unproductive or that time is just passing me at warp speed as my to-do list gets longer.
That is why I am so excited to bring you today’s guest post. Marva Smith from Sun Sparkle Shine has created a new course and if anything I have said feels like you right now, you’ll want to check this out.
Before you get moving and think, I don’t have time for anything more in my life. You may be right. Then you don’t want to miss this course. It was created for you!
While we're being honest, let's talk to-do lists. I have them, by the stakes in front of my keyboard. I am happy to be checking things off that list during the day. But there is one thing that my to-do list often pushes out... Share on XThat is my time with God.
My time with God gives me clarity and purpose
Yet far too often I push it aside to get done the “things that need to get done” and to happily check those things off that list.
I don’t know if Marva saw my very long to-do list but when she sent me this guest post, I saw she was talking to me. When she asked me to team with her on sharing this product, I didn’t even hesitate.
Maybe she wasn’t talking to me. Maybe she was talking to all of us. I know she has experienced this herself and has managed to come up with this fantastic course to help us all give our precious moments a little bit more shine.
Guest Post By Marva Smith
When You’re Too Busy for Face Time with God
You know you’re too busy for God when…
When I first became a Christian, one of my friends used to say to me, “if you’re too busy for God, you’re just too busy”.
I have to admit, I know she meant well but there were times those words did not sit well with me. But now, more than 20 years later, I’ve learned how true her words are. When I find life spinning out of control, I look at where my time is going. Am I too busy for face time with God?
How about you, friend?
Do you find yourself longing to spend time with God but watching the time fly by? Maybe you’ve been missing your morning devotions and hoping to make it up at night, but it just doesn’t happen. I know what it’s like because I’ve been there.
Most times it’s my loved ones who can tell when I’ve been missing out on time with God because it starts to show.
I know I’m too busy for God when…
- Everything and everyone gets under my skin – and pretty soon everyone’s tiptoeing around me.
- Life feels unfair – when I’m missing out on time with God I get this false sense that everything should go my way.
- Social media makes me cranky – instead of feeling sociable, the comparison makes me spiral into discouragement
- I forget to smile – I lose sight of my blessings when I take my eyes off Jesus
- Life is too hard – when I feel like I’m facing obstacle after obstacle, it’s a good time to check in on where my heart is at.
What are the signs that you’ve been too busy for God?
Perhaps more importantly, rather than beating ourselves up, what if we found creative ways to carve out time to spend with the Master?
And by the way, if you’re struggling to find ways to spend time with God or for the things He’s put on your heart, I have a special invitation for you at the end.
But first, a few tips to help you carve out one on one time with God.
3 Tips to Take Time to Talk to God
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Do a time swap
With all the things you have to do you probably feel like there’s never enough hours in the day. You’re not alone and I bet many of your friends feel the same way. What better way to help each other out than to swap time so you can each get some personal time. Even if it’s an hour, you can use this as a special time to get away with God, which is probably the reset you need.
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Do a prayer walk
Getting out in nature is always a good way to reconnect with God. While the weather is still nice it’s the perfect time to go for a prayer walk and pour out your soul to God. Fitting it in during your lunch hour or break doesn’t feel too burdensome and as a bonus, you get some exercise in as well.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” – Psalm 42:1-2
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Do worship differently
Sometimes what we need to reignite our time with God is to get away from our normal routine. Instead of just praying and reading your Bible, mix things up a bit. Spend some time listening to worship music, do some Bible journaling (a creative process in itself) or another fun activity to engage with God. This will light a spark and keep you looking forward to your times with the Master.
How about you? When you feel like you’re too busy for God which one of the tips will you try? Do you have others that have worked for you? Please share them in the comments so we can encourage one another.
Before I go, I’d love to invite you to join me for Time to Shine. It’s a time management course that will help you mind your minutes so the moments matter. I created it especially for women like you who want to fill up on the most important things (like time with God), without running on empty. I’ve been there, friend and I know there’s a better way. Join me here.
Marva Smith | SunSparkleShine.com
About Marva:
Marva Smith is an island-living, sun-loving, Christian wife and mom. She has successfully transitioned careers, welcomed reinvention and is always on the lookout for what God is doing next. She enjoys showing women how to sparkle and shine for God by living fully and abundantly right where they are (John 10:10). You can find her writing about her life and faith on her website SunSparkleShine.com as well as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Get a free copy of her e-book You Were Made to Sparkle here.
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This looks like an amazing course, Marva! I pray God will use you to richly bless all those He brings to it!
Thanks so much, Liz. He sure has been working on me in some big ways and I can’t wait to share what He’s been showing me.
Jaime, what a blessing you have been! Reading your words just now confirmed for me that I’m not alone and that you and many other women feel that pull. Wanting to please God — to shine for him — but being pulled away by our untamable to-do lists. I didn’t see your list, my friend but I know that if left unchecked mine gets way out of hand. Thankfully, there’s grace. For you and for me.
Blessings to you!
This sounds great, Marva, and thanks for these practical tips!
Thank you, Kelly. I pray you found them helpful.
Blessings to you!
Timely material! We all are so B.U.S.Y.! (Being Under Satan’s Yoke)
Could you elaborate more about Time Swap? Do you mean trade a job lasting an hour with someone? How does this work?
Great question, Jerralea. Time swap is a great way to exchange time with a friend where you take turns helping each other out. So, maybe this week I watch your kids while you get some alone time. And the following week you return the favor. It can be an hour or more, it really depends on what you can both manage to fit in but it’s a way to support one another.
This is a great reminder! I love that this is a faith based time management system.
Exactly, Katrina. Ultimately, with this or any other area of our lives we want to be led by God’s Word and His principles.
Thanks for these words of wisdom, Marva! I think we ALL can use your advice on adjusting our lives so we don’t squeeze out God. When we can’t find time for him, it’s definitely time to make some changes.