Don't Make Optional What Is Essential

Zach Vertz

Have you ever just gotten caught up in the busyness of life? So caught up that you forgot about what is truly essential in your life, devotion to Jesus Christ? Well I have.

I began a new season in my life this past semester. I transferred to DBU, moved out and got an apartment with four of my friends. Making the transition of living on my own and not having my own room or a designated quiet place has made it very challenging for me to make that time with The Lord each and everyday. I tell you this because I have been so guilty in getting caught up in being busy. Though I had not been doing “bad things”, I was simply putting God in the background of my life. Without even knowing it I was giving God the hand and putting other things before Him. Although I did not speak it, my personal life reflected my not prioritizing Him, as someone who claims to be a Christian should. Now let me remind you that I go to Dallas Baptist University. There aren’t parties going on. No drugs or alcohol. We are required to attend chapel twice a week, required to take Old and New Testament classes as well as a Christian leadership course. Being at DBU you are surrounded by like-minded individuals who love The Lord. I am a Christian Studies major therefore all my classes are based on a Christian worldview. On top of this, I am a leader at Verve, therefore I go to church Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings as well. I realized I was not going anywhere with God though because my personal time with Him was depleted. Did you know you could do all the “church things” and still find yourself completely empty inside? Well you can! I found my spirit so dry and empty, craving His Spirit but I was “too busy” for the God who saved me. Yes, “Christian things” surrounded me constantly but without me making that personal time with the Lord, I found my spirit drifting farther and farther away.

READ James 4:8

In this verse God says draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. This past semester I found myself feeling so distant from the Lord. Being reminded of this verse hit me like a ton of bricks and motivated me to dive back in. I have learned that it takes almost no effort to go to church, talk Christian and act Christian but if you are choosing to make optional spending time with The Lord and not making it essential, you will be completely depleted and find yourself longing for Him. I challenge you to say, “shut up world!” and focus your attention on who is truly essential, Jesus Christ. Open up your Bible and meditate on His Word day and night and then pray. Pray bold, passionate prayers. To take it a step farther, I even challenge you to get on your knees before God and pray to Him. Kneeling is a sign of respect and submission. I once heard a quote saying, “The weakest man on his knees is the most threatening man to Satan.” Dive in, and be changed!