posted by amanda on Dec 18
I really feel like God is speaking to me on the topic of spending time with him vs. spending time for him. For the first time in my adult life, I am really active in serving at church. I have been leading several groups, in extra Bible studies, making meals for pregnant women, helping out wherever I can, working on Christian websites, etc. I am so happy to have a place where I am serving.
Still, I feel that God is trying to impress on me that I have begun cutting out my time with God, either through prayer or Bible study, in order to have time in my life for these other things. I’m becoming a bit of a Martha.
Some verses that have really been impressed on me:
Luke 10:41b “‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 9:28-29 “As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning”
and then as Christ’s experience relates to us
2 Corinthians 3:18 “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is Spirit.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
I realize that I have not been doing a good job of balancing my time in relationship with God. I am thankful that he has gently reminded me of it before I went any further. The way for me to be renewed is by spending time with God, not just doing things. I need a balance.
Interestingly, I also see that I do this in my earthly relationships. I think I needed a good reminder that gifts of time are more important than gifts of service. I’m such a task-oriented person that I need to be shaken up and reminded that its not bad to be people-oriented.
God is so good to me 
I so adore the way that He disciplines. I hope that I am able to achieve the same with my children. He did not punish me or cause me to feel bad. He gently showed me my mistakes and in love I want to respond to his correction. Its so nice