Intentional Time With the Father

Author: Pastor Jonathan Cunningham

Galatians 5:25 NIV—Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

I absolutely love sports. My favorite players have always been those I see as brilliant on the field or court. High IQ players. A typical description of those players is a “student of the game.” I disliked the Lakers but loved Kobe Bryant growing up. The one thing that separated him from other players was the time he spent on the court. The countless hours of going through game plans and scenarios, even though he had incredible, undeniable natural talent. He was a true disciple of the game of basketball. He never settled; he never felt he had “made it.” His approach to the sport is something we can all learn from and implement in our lives, not just in an athletic capacity but in our walk with Christ.

The definition of a disciple is “to be a follower or student of …”

As Christians, we’re called to be followers or students of Christ. The word Christian literally means “a little Christ.” How do you become a student or follower of anything? You have to put in the time and work; there are no shortcuts. You don’t accidentally become a student of Jesus.

The gifts and natural abilities you’ve been given will only get you so far. Without the proper foundation, you will never get remotely close to where God truly has planned for you. If you could, you wouldn’t need God. Spending time with the Father will build the foundation for the calling he has on each and every one of you.

Stop right now, get your Bible, turn to Acts 9:1-22 and come back.

So Paul has this incredible encounter that changes his entire life trajectory. Scripture plainly tells us that Paul didn’t just start preaching and telling others how they should live their lives. He wasn’t overnight given this platform to speak correction and from a posture of authority.

Galatians 1:11-19—“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.”

Paul was away for three years, and during his “away time,” he was spending it with God. He lived an intentional kingdom-building life. However, it wasn’t by accident that he was able to sustain that level of connection to both the church and God.

We must ask ourselves how intentionally we are living for the Kingdom. How much of our lives are structured around that idea? How much of our time with the Father is more accurately classified as “if I get to it?”

Ask yourself these questions:

How much time am I spending reading the Word?

How much time am I praying?

How much time am I listening?

How much time am I spending in the right circles of people?

How much closer am I to God or the resemblance of Christ today?

If you’re not sure, Galatians has the benchmark.

Galatians 5:22-25 NIV—“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

How much better or deeper is your understanding of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

The answer to that question above will tell you where you’re at with your intentionality with the Father.

Reflection

Heavenly Father, we pray that you help us understand the importance of spending time with you. We know that the more we are like you, the more others will see you. In everything we do, that’s our ultimate mission. Thanks for being there even when we fall short. We love you, and we praise you. Amen.