I Peter 4:1-11 Don't waste time -- we don't have much!

This week's focus passage is a lengthy one:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:1-11)

Time.
Out of time.
Not enough time.
Wasting time.
Time stood still.
All of these are expressions that have to do with one of our most precious commodities.
I think maybe my grandma studied I Peter a lot, since she often had something to say about not wasting time. (Grin)

How do we spend our time? We each have twenty-four hours in each day....some of us make better use of those hours than others! Some accomplish a lot. Some accomplish little. What makes the difference? I think it is that the accomplish-a-lot crowd does a bang up good job of setting priorities, then setting goals....
So what is really important to us?
Does this sound familiar?

"I'd really love to spend more time working for the Lord."

"I'd love to sing in the choir, but all those practices....."

"I need to spend more time with my kids...."

"I should set aside time for my prayer and Bible studies."

Have we heard peeps say those things?
Oh, wait, have we actually said those things ourselves?

Let's be honest here -- the things that really matter to us, the things that are priorities in our lives -- those are the things that we make time for.  Not that it would be a nice idea if we did. Not that it would be good long term if we did. But that it's important, and we are determined, and we make time for those things.
How did we spend our time this past week? This is a Monday, so think back along last week's timeline. What does that say about what's really important to us?

Ouch!
Are we imitating the world, and "living for the weekend"? Are we wasting time on things that are not important? Things that don't matter much in the light of eternity? Sure, there's nothing wrong with having fun, and relaxation and laughter are good for the soul. But are we living our lives for our own desires, or are we putting in a good bit of time working for the Lord?

In a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon in one of my kids' books, Calvin tells his imaginary friend that "God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I'm so far behind that I will never die."
Sometimes we all feel that way.
But we can change that.....we'll be working our way through some applications of these verses this week!