I would like to share with you a thought process that was encouraged by a co-laborer with me at Clearwater who posed a question that I believe was a very intriguing one. For brevity's sake, I will share only the question and my response that came at the end of a day that was filled with spiritually thought-provoking comments from various members of our church leadership. Feel free to post your own thoughts:
(My friend) just posed a fantastic question that I would like to present (to you) today. Let's discuss it as we go through our daily activities and watch it propel us toward Jesus.
"Yesterday, I said that if you spent 12 hours everyday, reading your Bible, this endeavor would be a life well-spent. Does that not contradict what the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) says we should be doing?"
I'll enjoy entering the discussion. I will keep quiet for a while so that everyone may comment first.
My response:
I think there was very lively discussion on this topic. I am grateful to you for it. I share most of the sentiments expressed today. My heart in the statement was not to speak to every waking moment of our time, but rather to suggest that many may think that hours spent in Bible study and memorization would NOT be a life well-lived but rather a life wasted because of lack of productivity. I would say, on the contrary. I believe that if there were someone (and I long to be that one) in our congregation who did nothing all day (as opposed to going to a place of employment that required attention to other things) but studied the Bible (with usual breaks and time away, similar to someone who leaves the office for the same reasons and for the same amount of time) then that would not be a waste of time, but rather extremely valuable...especially in the pursuit of Matthew 28:18-20 as we seek to "teach all that He has commanded us". I will add that I also believe that other pursuits at a "place of employment" are productive as well and do not intend to demean these. I simply want to elevate here at this particular moment a life lived in the pursuit of the Truth of God's Holy Word.
Still I want to make it very clear that I believe (my friend) moved us forward in our pursuit by asking this question and I am grateful for it...and you.
In Him,
Chris