Often people ask me to shorten the pieces we send out. I ask why? “It takes too long to read through it. ”Then I ask, “How long does it take you to read it?” “Maybe 5 minutes.” “Is that the only time you have for God in your busy day?” I ask softly. Usually there’s no response to that.

When my wife comes to me and says the computer has done something funny and all her stuff is gone, my response is always the same: “Garbage in. Garbage out.” What you put in, is what you get out.

The same is true of our relationship with God. If we put little in, we can expect little back.

So many people ask me what they have to do. Should they apply for a new job? Should they break up or not? Will they go to hell if they have sex before marriage? What is God’s will for their lives? And much more.

Then I ask them: “How much time do you spend in God’s Word?” Usually, there’s no response to this question, because it’s mostly too little to mention.

I suspect our lives look like they do because we simply spend too little time in God’s Word. How can we know what God’s will for our lives is if we do not meet with Him every day?

And I include myself in this.

So many mornings I get up early to spend time with God. So many mornings I first take a quick look at my emails and “quickly” answer them. Have a “quick” look at the news platforms. Quickly check the bank balance. And when I get caught up in the social networks, it’s goodbye. Before I know it, it’s time for breakfast and I have to drop the kids at school.

And my relationship with God has not grown one inch. On the contrary, it has shrunk, because the less energy I put into a relationship, the bigger the chances that it will become superficial and artificial.

Any relationship needs time and energy. Including our relationship with God. Remember, it’s not God who has to change in this relationship, it’s us. We have to learn and change. Our faith and trust must be built up.

Therefore, this instruction: ⁷Think it over. God will make it all plain.

It’s clear: Read the words in God’s Word. Read the stories and learn. Read the instructions and do. Read the words again and again and let it change your thoughts, words and actions.

It brings us back to Nike’s slogan: Just do it!

Together with the instruction comes a promise: God will do his part in the relationship. He will help you understand what you read. He will help open up the knowledge in his Word. He will help you make it part of your being. He will give you the strength to do it.

And then you will know what choice to make at every crossroads in your life. Then you will know exactly what God’s will for your life is.

Scripture
2 Tim 2:1-7

Reflection
Do you know God’s will for your life?
Do you spend enough time in God’s Word?
What can you do differently?

Prayer
Father, I have to confess that I do not make enough time for You in my life. I realise I don’t know enough of Your will for my life. I long to spend more time with You. Please help me to have an appointment with You every day. Amen.