Psalm 31:14-15
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in Your hand.
So, what would you do if you had an extra hour today?
We are approaching that one day of a year that many look at as if it was a day off when in fact it is simply an extra hour that most if not all of us sleep through anyway. That my friends, is the appreciated Extra Hour we call Daylight Saving Time. This day, as opposed to its dreaded evil twin, also called Daylight Savings Time…better known for the Lost Hour. If you think about it, it’s actually a break even. Repeat after me…”Spring ahead, Fall back”. The fact is, it doesn’t happen around most the world let alone in parts of Arizona here in the states. Add to the confusion of the different Time Zones, those two days can throw you off quite a bit.
The common joke for church folk is on those Sundays you can tell who remembered and who didn’t. If you see someone sitting there already…or coming in way too late…BOOM…its them or maybe you!
While I know most of us will sleep through it, what would you do if you had an extra hour a day? How could you better fill that hour? How would you take advantage of it?
Let’s think outside the box and designate that hour by another question. If given another hour in your day how could you use it to grow or share your faith? I know, some of you think I just stole an hour back from you, right? The other day I heard someone say “have you considered tithing your time to God?” HUH? A Daylight Saving Tithe? That would mean for every 24 hour day you would give God a little less than 2.5 hours to God (I’ll be rounding numbers). In a week…about 17 hours. In a month…about 68 hours. In a year…about 816 hours. Fortunately, I’m only asking you to consider an extra hour a day or 365 hours a year. Think about using 365 hours dedicated to growing in your faith and sharing JESUS. In fairness, I’ll let you deduct the hours you put in going to and serving at church. See, some of you aren’t doing too bad. Then there may be some of you that are asking for a recalculation. Actually, I am simply having some fun with something we do need to seriously consider. Let’s look over some verses about using our time.
Psalm 119:15-16
I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Are you taking time to get into God’s Word? I mean, really into the Word on your own. Are you drawn to His Word like a moth seeking a flame? Are you studying God’s Word enough to have a reasonable discussion with you friends, spouse or kids? Are you being challenged by its lessons? Are you able to handle the Word correctly? (2 Tim 2:15) Are you being changed by the Spirit moving through you in what you read? Is your day interlaced…woven together with God working in and through you? Is God’s Word the protective covering fabric you wrap your life in? When people think of you, can they NOT separate the “you” from the “Jesus in you”? To remove anything spiritual, godly…it just wouldn’t be you?
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Colossians 4:5
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
It’s way too easy to waste time in the name of “relaxing” when all it is is stepping back from the busyness of doing “our thing”, when our thing is often just self-serving (self-gratifying). As we see the End Times approaching we need to consider switching out our thing for doing God’s thing. The world is watching us, they are taking note. They are hoping for answers in a world that seems to get more confusing. They are looking for wisdom. They are looking for answers. Do they see you content with the frivolity of things here? Do we share more about our restaurant or vacation destinations or than our final destination? What do they see as priority in your life? Have you shared Christ with them? Have you made the most out of every opportunity to share Jesus with them?
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
The best laid plans of Mice and Men…aren’t anything compared to the plans God has for us. If we were to consider the calendar itself is based on the life of Christ (BC/AD) we might think that the whole calendar year is HIS TIME and we need to schedule accordingly. We are simply filling in OUR things into HIS calendar.
John 9:4-5
I must quickly carry out the tasks assigned me by the One who sent me; still others read We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One who sent me. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Are you being a light to a darkened world? Do you bring SON light to the world? During your day are you sharing your faith along your journey with those that cross your path? When others see a difference in you and ask about it, do you take the opportunity…the time…the extra minute or two…an extra hour…to share Who’s made that difference? It could be a few minutes talking to the cashier ringing you up or longer over a cup of coffee with a neighbor. Could you “clear the calendar” if the Spirit so nudged you?
So, what could God do through you if you had an extra hour today?
You know…Daylight Saving Tithe?
Pastor Steve
If I Had an Extra Hour, the Daylight Saving Tithe
