In my Bible curriculum for my students there is a section at the beginning of each lesson titled "Teacher's Heart".
The one for lesson 2 reminded me of something that GOD has been teaching me over the last year while being away from friends and family. Spending a year away and alone with HIM. And something that is important to me presently, something about having balance. Finding the time, by taking hold of or making the most of each moment GOD gives us daily. Seizing those moments to meet the RISEN CHRIST in. Some days and weeks that almost seems like a chore as well. Anyways, here is what it said:
Teacher's Heart: As busy teachers, we find it easy to spend nearly every waking hour thinking, planning, and doing for our students. Most of the time this is unintentional; we simply come to the end of the day and realize that we've no time left for ourselves, our family, or even the Lord. Take a moment to evaluate your growth in the four areas mentioned above. Are you taking time (or making time!) to care for your physical body- the temple of the Holy Spirit? Do you make an effort to learn things that you really want to learn (putting professional in-services aside)? Do you take time for (Are you ready for this?) fun with family and friends? Most of all, are you making time for God on a daily basis? Since we minister from the overflow of all that God gives us we need to realize that any effort expended in these areas adds to our teaching, not detracts from it. As Martha learned in John 12, "being" is as important as "doing."
I think you could put anything in there in place of teaching, like where it says: "...we need to realize that any effort expended in these areas adds to our LIFE, not detracts from it." I think all of us find at times, no matter what our occupation, that there is no time left at the end of a day for ourselves, our family (community), or even the LORD. Yet, if we find the time, or better yet, take the time it adds to our life and doesn't detract from it.
It has taken me a LONG while to get a balance in my life, and I am still working on it. I know presently that I NEED to take time to work out, have a quiet time, read, and spend time in community with others on a daily basis along with teaching.
But I wonder how often we pass up taking, actually making the time to just "BE" and not worry about the "DOING" or about not having enough time?
