September 10, 2010

Be Our Guest / Joanie Nobbe

Schedule time with God every day

Joanie NobbeThe Bible is full of people that go through trials and tribulations. Like them, being God’s people doesn’t shield us from everyday problems.

That being said, being his people does give us the strength and courage to handle those problems.

In these modern times, God is being removed from so many areas of our lives that it is up to us to stay Christ centered. Just like with developing any relationship, you have to get to know the other person and spend time with them. With prayer and Bible study, we can grow in our relationship with him.

In the past year, I personally have been through some really trying times. And the easy thing to do would be to question God as to why he let those things happen.

The prophet Jeremiah says, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope” (Jer 29:11).

Although he has that plan for us, that is not a promise that we won’t struggle, but he gives us the strength to survive that struggle. I find at my most trying times that I tend to melt to the ground and wind up on my knees. It is easy to remember that I need God when I am going through those times that seem hopeless.

What we need to work on as his children is to remain with him always—not just on Sundays. We need his strength and guidance in every aspect of our lives. He gives us all the tools we need to live. It is up to us to use them.

I will be the first to say that when things are going great, I sometimes forget to praise God for the good times. He is with me then, too. I feel the guilt knowing when I receive blessings that I seem to allow more distance to come between myself and God.

I let so many little things busy my day that I forget to thank God for the blessings that he gave me. I claim that I can’t sacrifice a few minutes here and there to spend with him. Yet, he sacrificed his only Son for me, and Christ sacrificed his life.

We live by our schedules, and I never let anything come between me and certain television programs. I spend a few minutes every night reading a novel. I am challenged to schedule time with him.

I challenge you to schedule time with him. Just like our earthly father, he wants to hear about our day.

(Joanie Nobbe is a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Enochsburg.)

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