God’s Wounded Warriors

I recently embarked on some self-evaluation regarding how much time I give to God. Is it enough? Is it obsessive? Is it “normal”? While that is not an answer ChatGPT can produce with certainty, it is worthy of an answer. How do I know if the amount of time I spend with God is sufficient? Will I always be craving more or will I know when I’m spiritually satisfied?

As a Christian I have varied in the amount of time I spend with God ranging from none at all to multiple hours a day. On some of my worst days I wasn’t attending church, studying the Bible, praying or being fruitful. During my peak seasons I have spent multiple hours a day studying the Bible, listening to podcasts, praying and watching documentaries.

While there is no “rule” for how much time to spend with God, we should be aware the time we give God is as valuable as the money we tithe in church, the time we volunteer and the good deeds we do in real life. Going to church and having a relationship with God are not the same thing. Anyone can walk into a church and sit down for an hour once a week but how much one on one time is God getting?

God wants to hear about our day, our fears, anxieties, problems, thoughts and feelings, He wants all the tea. God wants us to “get to know Him” through studying the Bible and fellowship. God wants to share “Biblical tea” with us. God wants a relationship with us, not just obedience. God wants us to make Him a priority, our best friend, our lifeline, not a backup plan. God knows our hearts and our intentions. Sitting in church as a lukewarm Christian is not beneficial to anyone. Is it beneficial to your pastor? No, lukewarm Christians don’t get people to church. Is it beneficial to God? No, lukewarm Christians aren’t on fire for God outside of church. Is it beneficial to your family? No, you will be judged as your own individual person. Church is meant to be a bridge into a relationship with God, not be the entirety of it.

I encourage you to share some “tea with Jesus” this week. Listen to a podcast or Christian tunes on your commute to work. Join a study group. Pray. Give up 5 mins of useless scrolling everyday and read the Bible, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.