It's hard to smell the flowers on the interstate

I just returned from taking my oldest child to college. It hit me the other day that I now have a child in college, one in high school, another in junior high, and one in elementary school. Life is moving fast. I also know that my responsibilities as pastor require a lot of my time.

In the middle of all this activity, there is the underlying invitiation of God to spend time with Him. There is the knowledge and nagging that spending significant time in prayer interceding for our church is vital and part of my biblical job description as a pastor. My children need time with their father, and my wife and I need time together. Finally, I am blessed with friends and time with them builds the relationships.

Hearing these invitations to relationships in the midst of a busy life is like trying to smell roadside flowers while driving down the interstate. They are a quickly passing voice if I don't slow down and take notice.

I imagine the same is true for many of you as well. You are busy with your job, family, church, and other activities. In the midst of the activity, God and others are inviting you into relationship. You need it and God calls you to it. So, what are some keys to taking time for what is necessary while the urgent screams at you every day? Here are a few thoughts to ponder.

1. Know that without the presence and power of God, your activities become nothing more than human efforts. Although God is with you, you want to do more than ask Him to bless what you are already doing. Set aside time in your schedule for Him and you. I find that I can tell when I am prayer walking and reading my Bible enough. There is an underlying peace in the midst of the busyness. When I am not, I get more irritable and weary. God allows me to experience this so that I will not forget from where my strength comes from. How about you? What are the symptoms in your life when you are or are not spending time with the Lord?

2. Look for divine appointments. I find that if I am open to God interrupting my day, I tend to recognize relational opportunties easier and find them fulfilling rather than an obligation. The other day, one of my daughters asked if we could play basketball that day. I looked forward to it. I was visiting a church family and used this reason as my rationale for leaving when I did. Not only did they support me in it, they about kicked me out of their house so I could go play with her. Ironically, when I arrived home to shoot hoops, most of the family joined in.

Yesterday, a man was having car troubles and had pulled onto our street to trouble shoot the issues. Turned out, he needed gas. I was able to empty my gas can for the mower into his truck, and found out he lived about six blocks away and grew up on my street years ago. I let him know where I was pastor. He was running late to get his son to football practice, so we shook hands and he left. Who knows how God can use that moment some time down the road.

This morning, a retired missionary called me. We had spent time in Albania together over my three trips there from 1994-1996. He had made contact with a common Albanian friend whom I hadn't talked to in years. He is living in Syracuse, New York with his wife and two sons. I am looking forward to reconnecting with him by phone and email. Divine appointments come in all forms. Be open to them.

3. Be willing to be flexible with your leisure time and evaluate your schedule. I love to escape into a movie, sporting event, or good t.v. show. However, in the busy seasons, I have to be selective on what I do. I play soccer in the evenings, mostly after the kids are settled down. I watch less on television/movies in the busy seasons because time with the family and friends takes priority. Sometimes, I have to turn down things. I am not coaching club soccer this fall. I knew that I couldn't balance things and do that as well.

What do you do to strive for balance?