Back in 2018 I became a “Gamer Dad”, one of those dads who is not only a dedicated father but also still tries to make time to enjoy video games when he can. While I am thrilled to be in this role and wouldn’t trade anything in the world for my two precious (soon to be three!) whirling tornadoes of energy, I must admit that I struggle these days to fit in the “gamer” part of being a Gamer Dad. As much as it may shock you to hear, my time simply isn’t as open and free as it used to be. I know those of you who are also Gamer Dads (and Moms too) can understand this problem.
But if I’m being honest, video games aren’t the only thing that I’ve struggled to make time for lately. I’ve found it difficult to make time even for important spiritual practices like prayer or Bible study. It’s an unfortunate truth that sometimes we can become so caught up in the rush of daily life, even when that daily life is full of good things, that we forget to make time for ourselves and even for God. Many days I have fully intended to make that time happen but somehow I end up either forgetting about it or letting other things take that time away. This is something that I have had to work to correct though, because not only is that time important, it’s absolutely crucial.
I am regularly reminded of the fact that Jesus took time away from the business of ministry to have time to himself, time alone with his Father. If Jesus himself wasn’t immune to the need for rest and time to focus on God, then what allows me to think that I would be any different? The same thing goes for anyone else too. This time can’t be something that happens if, and only if, we end up having time for it. It must be a priority. It must be something that is hardwired into our day or our week and we give it the same importance that we would anything else on our schedule.
It’s actually about more than just reading the Bible or praying though. What makes these practices really work is the ability to focus on God. Sure, we can read the Bible just about anywhere nowadays thanks to modern technology. You can open a Bible app on your phone and read it wherever you happen to be. However, just because you’re reading it doesn’t mean that you are actually taking it in. You can say a prayer anywhere, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are truly communing with God. There’s a reason that when Jesus wanted this time with God that he went far away from any other human beings so that it would be just him and God in the conversation. There were no distractions, nothing else around that would take his focus away from God. It’s when we are able to focus that we are at our most open to hear what God wants to say to us. That’s why this time alone with him has to be a priority in our schedule, one that is free from distractions.
I am trying harder nowadays to make sure that I give myself time to unwind with a game or by reading a book that I enjoy. Along with that, I am also working harder to ensure that I have that time set into my schedule where I am focusing solely on God and nothing else. Is it always easy? No. Are there things that pop up that want my attention? Sure. What I, and all of us, have to remember though is that it’s alright to say “No, not right now.” to those things. That time with God, even if it’s just a few minutes, benefits not just us but those around us as well. When we make that time with God happen and we focus on what God is wanting to say to us then it sets the tone for everything else that happens after that. We may not hear much some days but that’s alright. What matters is that we continually make the time. God knows when our hearts are directed towards him and he honors the efforts of those who are earnestly seeking him.
