The Experiment

October 29, 2023

Why We Struggle to Prioritize Time with God

There are several reasons why we might struggle to prioritize time with God:

Complacency: Our trust in God’s grace and the assurance of salvation are precious gifts. However, it’s important to remember that grace isn’t a reason to ignore our spiritual growth and sanctification. Just as we care for our physical and emotional health, we must also nurture our spiritual well-being. This involves prayer, studying the Bible, and connecting with other believers.
Conflicting Priorities: It is natural to have desires and passions, but it is essential to make sure that they are aligned with God’s will for our lives. When we prioritize our interests over God’s, we can create conflict in our hearts and minds. It is helpful to spend time reflecting on our priorities and asking God to help us align them with His.
Not Understanding Your Role as a Christian: As Christians, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This means following Him in every aspect of our lives. To be a disciple, we need to get to know Jesus through His Word, prayer, and worship. Understanding that spending time in His presence is paramount.
Not Understanding His Role as a Father: God is our loving Father. He deeply cares for us and desires a close relationship with us. If we truly understood who He is, we would eagerly seek to gain strength and wisdom from His presence, choosing to be in His presence over the things that entertain our flesh. This isn’t something we have to do out of obligation; it’s something we get to do out of love and gratitude. We can trust Him completely, lean on Him for guidance, and approach Him with our needs and concerns, knowing that His love for us is unwavering.

How to Prioritize God

So, how do we prioritize God? Here are a few tips:

Schedule it in. Like you would schedule any other necessary appointment, schedule time each day to spend with God. This could be in the morning, at night, or during your lunch break. The important thing is to find a time that works for you and stick to it.
Find a quiet place. When spending time with God, it’s essential to find a place where you can focus on Him without distractions. This could be your prayer closet, a park bench, or a car.
Come with an open heart. Don’t come to your time with God with a set agenda. Instead, come with an open heart and mind, willing to hear whatever He says.
Be consistent. The key to experiencing transformation is to spend scheduled time with God regularly. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes a day, connect with Him at the appointed times you set up.

Leave Room for Grace

It’s important to remember that we could be better. There will be days when we miss our scheduled time with God or find it difficult to focus on Him. But that’s okay. Just pick up where you left off the next day. God loves us unconditionally, and He understands our weaknesses.

Statistics On How We Prioritize Social Media Over God

According to a 2022 study by the Pew Research Center, the average American adult spends 136 minutes per day on social media. [Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/]

In contrast, the average American adult spends only 12 minutes per day reading the Bible. [Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/]

This means that we spend over 11 times more time on social media than we do reading the Bible.

This difference is even more pronounced among younger adults. According to the same study, adults aged 18-29 spend an average of 182 minutes per day on social media, compared to just 6 minutes per day reading the Bible.

This data suggests that we are much more focused on our social media lives than we are on our spiritual lives. This is likely due to a number of factors, including the convenience and accessibility of social media, as well as the constant stream of dopamine hits that we receive from using it.

However, it is important to remember that social media is a fleeting distraction. It cannot provide us with the same level of meaning and purpose as a relationship with God. When we prioritize God in our lives, we experience a deep and lasting transformation.

Conclusion

Please join me in this experiment. Make time with God, your foremost and unwavering commitment, and see what happens. You will be amazed at the transformation He will bring to your life.

What are some practical steps that you can take today to prioritize God in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!