How to Schedule: Part 1

Prioritizing God's Word

I often hear these words, "I'm so busy, I haven't had time for Bible Reading." And it seems like an understandable reason to be struggling to get time in God's Word, right? Well, I think we can see that those statements reveal more about my heart than they do about my schedule. We absolutely need to be in God's Word daily!

But I don't want you to spend time in God's Word because I told you to. That will only give you motivation for a few days at most. I'd love to show you how God's Word tells us it's important enough to be our first priority in scheduling. And then we'll talk about some practical ways to make that happen.

Let's read Matthew 6 together. It has some really beautiful truth that guides us as we talk about schedules.

Matthew 6:25-33

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

It's at this point where I feel a little silly trying to say anything about that because God's Words so clearly point us to the truth Yet, I do find that it helps to ask questions to determine what my actions are evidencing about my heart. So here are some questions I find helpful as I seek to prioritize God's Word.

• What does how I prioritize God's Word demonstrate about where my heart is focused?

I sometimes phrase this question in different way, "If God is not important enough to be given priority in this day, then what is?" And whatever answer is to that question will show where my focus is. There will always be things clamoring for my attention and my time. But as Matthew 6 says, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Setting aside distractions so that my heart can focus on God and His Word is the most valuable thing.

• Does how I prioritize God's Word demonstrate that I believe that God is sovereign and my work is not in vain?

Matthew 6 asks that question in this way: "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" By rushing around trying to take care of every little thing before giving God and His Word my undivided attention, I am not adding an hour to my life. God has given me 24 hours in each day, limitations of sleep, hunger, and He will sovereignly accomplish exactly as He choses in that day. It is arrogance that says that I must be busy about my work every moment of every day or it will not be done. It is humility that offers back the time I have been given by God with open arms and a willing spirit. Thanks be to God that our work is not in vain! He provides for all our needs. He gives blessing in our labor. We work for Him and not for men. Yet as we work, we acknowledge His sovereign plan and provision and we rest in that as we prioritize Him and His Word.

• Does how I prioritize God's Word allow me to freely say yes to the things that are important?

The beautiful thing about faithful stewardship is it is an acknowledgement of ownership. When I steward my time well, I am acknowledging God as the giver of time. He has numbered my days. So as I steward faithfully, I prioritize Him, and I am able to freely use the other hours He has given without worry. "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." There will be no fear or worry that God will provide the time to complete the things He has called me to when I have surrendered my moments to Him. When God places people who need Wisdom or situations that need Truth, or challenges that need Faith into the day, I can confidently face those knowing that God has already equipped me for the task through His Word and His Spirit. I can freely do the things He has laid out for me.

I hope that encourages you like it does me as I face a new week with a full schedule and many things calling for my attention: I want to prioritize time in God's Word.

Practical steps for prioritizing God's Word.

1. Put it on the calendar. Reserve the time out of your day, just as you would for any other appointment throughout your day.

2. Find a friend to study with. Having a friend go through the same book of the Bible or Bible study with you is a great tool if you are struggling with consistency. Schedule weekly check-ins to share what you are learning.

3. Interact with God's Word as often as possible throughout the day. Find a Biblical podcast or sermon series to listen to during drive time. Listen to Scripture while you're at the gym. Put a quick daily devotional within arm's reach of where you feed your baby. Carry verse cards in your purse to work on Scripture memory in waiting rooms. Read a family devotional at the dinner table. There are so many ways to increase our time in God's Word.

4. Plan to be in church and ready to listen to God's Word. Maybe that means scheduling your Saturday a little differently or waking up a bit earlier on Sunday morning. But give yourself every opportunity to be at church and in a mindset that is helpful for learning.

5. Read through Psalm 119 daily for one month. Ask God to help you treasure His Word.

Here are a few helpful resources for getting into God's Word early and often. There are so many great options available, but these are some of my favorites!

The Daily Grace Co. Studies

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Habits of Grace by David Mathis

New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp

How God Loves Us by Jessica Thompson

The Bible Recap Podcast

Before you go, I'd love for you to leave a comment about how you will plan to Prioritize God's Word in your schedule this week.