Not a Leftover

O taste and see that the LORD is good. (Ps 34:8a)

I open the fridge door. It sits at the back of the shelf. I look around for other options. Even if it might not be the healthiest of choices, in the back of my mind I know I should finish it. I grudgingly reach for the plate of leftovers.

Nobody likes leftovers. Yet, have we not unwittingly made God a sort of leftover in our lives? We make time for school, for work, for family, for friends, and even for entertainment. We make no excuses for “me-time.” By the time we get to our “God-time” of prayer and Bible-reading, it feels more like a leftover that we force ourselves to get done. It becomes another item on our to-do list to check off.

How did the Lord of heaven and earth, the Author of life, become relegated to the lowly place of a mere leftover? Maybe it was a little busyness, a little laziness, or a little bit of both.

Maybe it’s time to reach into the back shelf of the fridge that is our life. Perhaps it’s time to clean out the stale dish of half-hearted prayers and hurried Bible-reading. Maybe it’s time to make a brand new serving of our favorite dish—delightful time with God. 

Instead of covering up our “God-time” with layers of excuses, let us make a deliberate effort to insert prayer time in our schedule. Instead of looking around for the junk food that the media and society so readily provide, let us munch on the solid, organic food that is found in God’s word. Instead of pushing Him to the back of the shelf, let us reach for our Bible before we reach for our mouse, our remote control, or our cell phone.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What are some of the types of “junk food” you resort to?

2. Identify one specific time period when you are alert and able to dedicate yourself to God.