Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” – James 4:13-15

How would you like to spend 2 years making phone calls to people who aren’t home? Sound absurd? According to one time management study, that’s how much time the average person spends trying to return calls to people who never seem to be in. Not only that, we spend 6 months waiting for the traffic light to turn green, and another 8 months reading junk mail. And how about spending five months complaining – but only 115 days laughing throughout the year.

These unusual statistics should cause us to do time-use evaluation. Once we recognize that simple “life maintenance” can chip away at our time in such huge blocks, we will see how vital it is that we don’t busy ourselves “in vain” (Ps 39:6).

Psalm 39 gives us some perspective. In David’s complaint to God, he said, “You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You” (V. 5). He meant that to an eternal God our time on earth is brief. And He doesn’t want us to waste it. When we do, we throw away one of the most precious commodities He gives us. Each minute is an irretrievable gift–and unredeemable slice of eternity. Sure, we have to make the phone calls, and we must wait at the light. But what about the rest of our time? Are we using it to advance the cause of Christ and to enhance our relationship with Him? Is our time well spent?

It’s no surprise I’m quite sure that you would agree that we all live life in the fast lane. We’re always off either to the next ballgame, practice, taking care of family matters, making that work project deadline, and the countless other demands that life demands of us. But have you ever considered to stop, re-think and slow down enough to evaluate your life in regards to living your life in the what I call living life in the Faith Lane.

The book of Isaiah tells us that “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

It is extremely vital that each of us take time out in our busy schedules to spend time alone with God. For me, this works best in the early morning (just right after I’ve poured that first cup of coffee!). I love the mornings. Before the business of the days’ demands and schedules, I have to spend time with my heavenly Father in His Word. It helps to keep me focused, alert and to keep the main thing…the Main thing, which is Christ in me and to listen to His voice as I begin the new day.

Even throughout the day, I’m continually aware of His presence in my life. In his book, “The Practice of the Presence of God“, Brother Lawrence quoted, “He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”

Living your life with constant awareness of God not only living within you but also walking with you and guiding you, can and will drastically change your life.

Yes, life is still life and it continues to have its list of demands, schedules and appointments, but as I remain to live my life in the Faith Lane and allow Him to go before me and prepare my way, I know without doubt, He will always see me through. It doesn’t matter the obstacle, detour, road closings or yielding that this Faith Lane presents along life’s way, I’m sure to always reach my destination each and every time. And this destination is none other than remaining in the center of His will for my life. 

Remain blessed,