Seven Minutes with Sizzle

Good intentions. A writer’s life is full of them. And when it comes to finding time to spend one-on-one time with God, the proverbial “road” is paved with them. Well aware of this struggle in my own life, a scenario began to form in my mind…

What if Jesus was making an appearance in our town next month? How long would I stand in line for a ticket? What price would I pay? Would I be willing to clear my schedule? Even if I had household chores or a company coming for dinner.

The answer to all of these questions was easy. I’d stand in the rain for a week to hear Jesus teach from His Word. I’d even give up chocolate to have the chance to chat about the things on my mind. If this is true, why couldn’t I find time for Him in my day?

If you are experiencing a similar struggle, I’ll give you the same challenge a wise mom gave me. One day, after patiently listening to my litany of excuses for not having a daily devotional time, my friend surprised me with a simple question.

“Cyndy do you have seven minutes in your day that you could set aside to spend with God?”
“Seven minutes?” I asked. “What good is seven minutes? I’d need to spend at least a good 30 minutes – probably longer – for it to be worthwhile.”

My friend smiled and repeated her question. “Cyndy, can you carve seven minutes out of your busy day to spend alone with God.”
“Well, sure but…”
“Good. Here’s how I suggest you spend it…”

1. Spend the first 30 seconds asking God to quiet your heart and give you a teachable spirit. Ask Him to protect the next few minutes from interruptions.

2. Spend the next four minutes reading the Bible. Read whatever you like. Start at the beginning and read a little each day. Or let the book fall open and start reading. Or begin with the Psalms or Proverbs. The Bible tells as that ALL Scripture is “God breathed” and useful for teaching and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

3.For the remaining time (2 ½ minutes) PRAY.

P – Praise God for who He is what He means to You.
R – Repent of your sins – and accept God’s forgiveness. After all, it was bought by a high price – the suffering and death of His precious Son, Jesus. ( John3:16)
A- Ask God to provide what you need. Pray about the big things and the little things. One time I asked for a better attitude about laundry (I HATE laundry…) and God led me to Genesis 2:25, “They were naked and not ashamed.”
Y – Yield. This is the hardest for most of us. Allow God to set your to-do list. Lord, THY will be done – not MY will.

So what good is seven minutes? I definitely wasn’t expecting the change that came as a result of those seven minutes with God each day. Job 42:5 says, “I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”
There’s no question about it. The change in my life, was definitely worth standing in the rain for! Even chocolate rates a distant second.
So, how about you? Do you have seven minutes you can carve out of your busy day to spend with God? If your answer is yes, here’s what YOUR Creator — the One who knows the number of hairs on your head – promises in return…
“I will always lead you. I will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry.” Isaiah 58:11