lifewithomg

Hello, my name is OMG and I love wasting my time.

I just spent the last 30 minutes trying to figure out how to turn a two second video of me dancing into a five second video so I could post it on social media! I’ve been thinking about the perfect caption for said video for the last week and a half. Originally, I wanted to post the video two weeks ago on a Tuesday, but I also wanted to wait until Thursday so that I could be trendy and use the hashtag #throwbackthursday. In the last 7 days, I have spent more time building a relationship with my phone than an actual human being. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I discovered a new feature on my phone called “Screen Time”. I started to type out just how much time was spent in each category – entertainment, social networking, health, reading and reference – but that’s not important. All that matters is this:

I think I’m starting to have an obsession!

It’s true, I’m not ashamed to admit it! I love my phone. It’s always by my side and if it’s not, I can hear it from the other room. (That part isn’t an obsession, I just like to have it in case my family needs to reach me – true story.) I just recently started going to a small group that I really enjoy. It’s exactly 4 minutes away from my house and I love the company! I am trying to do things on my own and branch out more, but here’s the problem: I love Netflix. I watch it on my phone, so I can take it with me wherever I go. I have legit looked up jobs that pay you to watch movies (spoiler, there’s none in the Midwest). I have started to debate whether I should stay in and watch my shows or going out and live my best life. Don’t worry, I chose the group.

Have you ever been face to face with a lion? I haven’t. They say not to panic or run away, but retreat slowly and not to turn your back on it. Why? Because that 420 lb. animal can kill you with one blow! So, if Jesus is the Lion of Judah, why do we treat him like a zoo animal? Some close friends of mine reminded me that we do this in our everyday lives! At the zoo, you can go whenever you please, feel like you made a difference by feeding the animals, and expect them to do tricks when you tap on the glass. Is this not what we do with our Heavenly Father? We pray and study His Word at a time that’s convenient for us, feel a sense of accomplishment by investing in the church with our tithes, and expect Him to constantly work miracles in our lives. God reigns over all and we can’t even give Him some time alone with us? We should feel honored that He desires to talk to us simply because He loves us, but we think it’s the other way around.

I have a friend that has made it her personal goal to get out of her house by 5a.m. Why, you ask? So that she can ensure she has enough time to spend with God every day. I really want to say that’s crazy, but it’s not. She is willing to give up hours of her sleep, something I deeply cherish, to worship and study. In Proverbs, we are warned that too much sleep can cause one to not be prepared when hardships unexpectedly come our way. I get it, sometimes there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done. The problem is, instead of changing our schedules to fit time in for Him, we just say “I’ll do it later” and then forget. Personally, I’ve tried to wake up earlier to make time for my devotions, but not by much. I wonder, where would I be now if I had put in a little bit more effort?

I attended a women’s conference last month and they gave everyone a card with an encouraging word from God. On the front of the envelope it said, “Just for you” (for no two were the same). Conviction hit hard as I read the bitter truth:

I have much to say to you. If you really want to hear from Me, set aside time to listen. I am a still small voice. If you go to My Word daily, I will speak.  I will give you peace in your decisions because My Word bring you to all truth and guidance for your life. (Ps 119:105, 119:130)

Normally my posts are about things that I’ve overcome and how God has helped me through them. This is not one of those posts. This is me, through humility, admitting that I don’t make nearly enough time for God. Honestly, I think most people don’t. I’ve told everyone that would listen that I am royalty. Heck, I’ve worn a tiara on my birthday for the past 6 years! But, I’m not worthy of that title. No one is. I’ve proudly announced my royal status, but don’t even give the full amount of attention that is deserved to the One who actually wears the crown. I want to be better. I have to be better.

I say I love wasting my time because that’s what the evidence points to. My phone it literal proof that I have lacked in certain areas and given my attention to the wrong things. I’m not perfect. Most likely, I’m going to mess up in the next 48 hours or oversleep one day. That’s okay! I praise Him because he is a merciful God, full of grace and forgiveness. Everyone is in a different stage in life. No two people are the same! As we grow in our faith, we must grow in every other area as well. Not just reading the Word,  but studying it as well. Not just going to church, but living the way Christ did when He was on this earth. The King, OUR King, deserves our respect. He deserves our time and our best. So, what’s next for you?

Reason #7843 why we don’t deserve God: even though we fail Him, He will never fail us. He is faithful to do what he says. His love is beyond understanding and He will never stop loving, EVER. Remember that.

Princess with a tilted crown (but He still loves me anyways),

OMG

P.S. Please don’t think that just because I admitted to not giving God enough time means that I don’t give him any time at all. The point of this post is to say that we can all do better with how we utilize our time, no matter where we are in our walks.