i am an offering

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on “How to Be an Offering” and, since that is the theme of this blog, I thought I’d catch up a bit! While the past ones have been all focused on Scripture passages (which I will continue to do) I wanted to just share some thoughts on simple ways that you can be an offering with your time.

I’ve been thinking about my roles in life a lot lately. Follower of Jesus, Husband, Father, Graphic Designer, Worship Leader. While our lives are ultimately to be offered to God in worship daily, we are also to serve others and offer our lives in each role we are in. How could fifteen minutes a day serve others that come in contact with your given role? I’ll list mine:

• Follower of Jesus - fifteen minutes a day of mediating on God’s Word (I would suggest much more than that, which I’m still working on, but fifteen minutes is a good starting point)
• Husband - fifteen minutes a day of small housework items. Christine has just gone back to work after maternity leave and is exhausted. If I spend fifteen minutes a day doing easy work, her stress load lightens exponentially. She can spend time with our daughter at night instead of seeing messes around the house.
• Father - fifteen minutes a day praying for my daughter. (Again, this could and should be way more, but I’d rather pray for her fifteen minutes out of my day than no minutes at all!)
• Graphic Designer - fifteen minutes a day going through a tutorial and learning new techniques. I always want to learn how to better my skills.
• Worship Leader - My fifteen minutes in God’s Word already impacted this one, as a worship leader should be first and foremost a student of God’s Word, then a musician. Fifteen minutes a day practicing my instrument(s). Now, granted, some of you who read this play several instruments so this could turn into 45 minutes a day. But think of the impact it will have on your confidence and skill level!

I just planned one hour and forty-five minutes of my day (I’m including fifteen minutes for three instruments). That short time will impact my roles, those who come in contact with me in those roles and my impact on God’s kingdom significantly more than an hour and forty-five minutes of many other things. How much TV does the average American watch??? I don’t even watch that much TV at all, but I know I could be spending my time doing much more beneficial things.

Well, today my wife and I are scheduled to go to the hospital and be induced to have our first baby.  Please pray for safe delivery and strength for my wife especially, as it will be an overnight labor.  We are so excited to have a new member of our family, but know if will change our lives forever.

I more than likely will be taking a bit of a break from blogging for a while.  So look for me to come back after a time of rest and getting to enjoy the new adventures of fatherhood.

You must be thinking, “What?? How can you have a title like that?”

I was challenged today.  A friend and co-worker shared devotions from Philippians.  Paul was talking to the church and asking that they would exalt and magnify Jesus in everything they do in life.  That leads to this question:  Is God just a priority?  In other words, does your “checklist of life” look like this:

1. God.  Check.
2. Family. Check.
3. Work. Check.
4. Etc…check.

How often do we as  followers of Christ make a list like this and then leave God at the top and forget about Him.  We should be challenged to make our “checklist of life” look like this instead:

1. God.
2. God.  Family.
3. God. Work.
4. God. Etc…

Our life should revolve around Him, He shouldn’t simply just be our top priority.  Everything we do; love, life, work, play, hobbies, spare time, everything should revolve around magnifying Him and making His name known.  We exist to make Him famous.

I’m glad I was challenged today.