Everything: The Difference Between Wasting & Investing Time

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

I imagine if an efficiency expert spent a week with me their report would recount many "wasted" hours in my week.

Mornings spent on my bed snuggling a blond-topped bundle of love and watching a show I find surprisingly entertaining.

Afternoons spent ambling through a store with a teenager who looks good in everything she tries on, I request a private fashion show.

Evenings spent holding a hand stronger than mine, peering into eyes pooled with wisdom but yet discussing nothing in particular.

But is this time spent or time invested?

I once would have agreed this was wasted time but I recently read a book that helped shape my perspective on time management. Everything by Mary DeMuth challenged me to surrender my life - heart, head and hands to Jesus. Just as time spent with Him is never wasted, a life centered on Him won't be either.

Photo Credit: RitaSchulte.com

As I've learned to center my heart on Jesus one conversation, one smile, one ordinary moment at a time, He slowly becomes my everything. Making Him everything means evaluating my time and priorities differently. It means letting Him be master of my minutes - even if spending them as He directs looks like squandered time.

What would making Jesus everything look like for you? Are you willing to "waste" your life for Him?
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Find out more about Everything here - MaryDeMuth.com/Everything. You can purchase it at your favorite retailer in person or online.

Lessons Learned on the Road - Don't Run to Train...Run to Know

Today is the final edition of Lessons Learned on the Road. Today's guest is the ultimate finish line banquet - Mary DeMuth. After you drink in the refreshment of her wisdom today, you should hop over next Monday to your favorite retailer to buy her newest book, Everything. Everything is a an invitation to let go of the try-harder Christian life and to truly experience the richness of life that comes when we make Jesus our Everything. Watch the book trailer now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eVfl-L6xv4 & don't forget to order her book next week!

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by Mary DeMuth

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

1 Corinthians 10:41, NLT

On my run a few weeks ago, training for a half marathon using this plan, the Lord spoke so plainly, I wondered if He ran nearby. He said, "Don't run to train, run to know."

I felt near elation in the mention because, of course, He was right (again).

I should not jog to train for this half marathon. I should hit the road because it's a perfect time for me to reacquaint myself with the Almighty.

You can also substitute a few words and personalize it for you.

How about:

• Don't work to get ahead, as you work, discover Jesus.
• Don't create art to produce something, create to grow closer to the Creator.
• Don't sing to impress, sing to understand your heart before Jesus.
• Don't check off your to do list to feel satisfaction, check it off while thanking Jesus for the ability to do so.

We can turn everything around in our hearts and minds when we refocus on Jesus. Then life becomes a surprising adventure, full of hushed discoveries of our amazing God.

When I run, I hear God.

When I jog through my neighborhood park, ideas pop into my head that I hadn't had before. It's like a laboratory for ideas, and often those ideas come from Jesus. While it is super fun to get in shape and accomplish a goal, inevitably, it's even more fun to feel like I've communed with Jesus during all that sweat and gore (if you watched me run, you'd understand this; and perhaps "run" isn't the right word.)

So whatever you do today, don't just do it to do it. Do it for the glory of God, to know Him, to find Him, to be near Him.

What activity do you do today where you could refocus on Jesus?

How Jesus Became My Everything

This video is a response to an incredible book I recently finished reading by Mary DeMuth called Everything. In this topsy turvy view of the Christian walk, Mary dispels the myth that Christian growth results from a try harder life. To experience radical change we need a relational transformation - of our head, heart and hands. Every person longing for freedom from performance Christianity should read this book.

Her words challenged me. Her question begged an answer. Was Jesus really my Everything? Did I love him with head, heart and hands?

There was a time I could not have responded yes. Although I knew Jesus, I strolled with Him as a casual acquaintance. I knew the right answers at church. I could find all the passages in my Bible. I was faithful to my church and served generously. But my real, walk-around life stayed the same.

In 2002 I introduced my faith to a coworker. God used my shallow faith to deeply penetrate his heart. I witnessed a miracle. Everything about him transformed because Jesus was his everything.

I decided to admit that I was a long-time new believer. It was time to start walking with Jesus as an intimate friend. I gave myself the counsel I'd given countless others - to begin reading the Bible in the book of John.

It didn't take too many days before my eyes fell on John 5. There we find Jesus healing the man by the pool at Bethseda. He simply asks him, "Do you want to be well." I knew with certainty He was asking me too.

I blubbered a yes and began to take daily steps toward intimacy with Jesus. I talked to Him. I listened to Him. I read His word. I thought about His word. I walked around with Him throughout my day. 

My marriage, my parenting, my home were all radically changed by the proximity of my new walking partner. 

Do you want Jesus to be your Everything? Then read Mary's book. Your heart, head and hands will bear the marks of your journey. You can get your own copy here: http://amzn.to/yxEeaz

How would your life look different if you dared to let Jesus be Everything?
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Would you like to join Mary's video challenge? Click here to find out how!