No Time to Read the Bible

This is a post from Gwen Toliver of Tolivers to Texas

These days it seems that as long as you have little ones in the house, you have the excuse for, “No time to read the Bible.”

They get up so early, they interrupt you every time you sit down, they keep your from focusing, they make every moment of the day so busy that there is just no time to read the Bible.

I’ve even heard it said – more than once – that God understands this is a busy stage of life and He knows that you won’t have much time to spend reading the Bible and praying.

Yes, I believe that’s actually mentioned in Hezekiah 3:14.  Go ahead, I’ll wait while you find that in your Bible.

It’s right beside the verse that says you should make time for Facebook, but God understands if you don’t have time to read His Word.

And next to the verse that says you should make time for two hours of working out, but don’t worry about person Bible study.

While we laugh at the ridiculousness of that, it often seems to be how we approach our excuse of “no time.”

That’s nonsense.  God actually says things like this –

Oh that my ways may be established to keep Thy statutes!
Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Thy commandments.”
Psalm 119:5-6 (NASB)

In other words, it’s a purposeful, planned thing to obey God and to study His Word.  It’s not an, “Oh, the kids make life so busy that I just don’t have time” thing.

Here’s another one –

If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2:4-5 (NASB) Read the preceding verses as well!

So many parents pray for wisdom (James 1:5-6) but then they neglect to do the very thing that results in wisdom: rich, deep study in God’s Word which leads to a greater understanding of God’s character.

Jesus was on a very tight deadline – He had exactly three years to accomplish His ministry on earth, die for the sins of mankind, and rise again – yet what did He do?  He went off by Himself to pray because that was the priority (Matthew 14:23).  He went right back to serving people (just like motherhood!) but He first focused on what He know was important.

Mothers, let me gently encourage you – and even challenge you today – that you must be a follower of Christ first and foremost.  Before your relationship with your husband.  Before your relationship with your children.

If you don’t have time, make time.  It’s true that you have time for everything that is important to you.  One of my childhood memories is my mother going into her bedroom and reading her Bible.  We weren’t allowed to interrupt her.  What kind of a statement does that make to a child?

It says this – time with God is more important than runny noses, dirty bottoms, quarreling children, and grouchy teenagers.  If something needs to be dealt with, do so quickly.  But make sure that you spend a full measure of time in the Word, not to show off to your kids, but because it is necessary for your own spiritual growth.  In that you will be making a tremendous statement to your children.

My father once said:

The degree to which we limit our intake of God’s Word is the degree to which we limit our spiritual growth.

Wise words, indeed.  How can we possibly expect to train our children in things of the Lord if things of the Lord are such a low priority in our personal walk?

So today, sit down with your Bible.  Tell your children, “Hush, Mama is reading her Bible.”  Don’t allow for interruptions.  If a child is continually disobeying, deal with it swiftly and firmly and get back to the Word.  Believe me, after a few times of this, your child will learn an important lifelong lesson.  Share with your children the truths that God is teaching.  Let them see your genuine, growing love for the Lord and His Word.

And in the midst of that, you will be prepared and strengthened for the daunting task of training children for His glory.