A question I ask myself and I hope you will as well… its a game changing kind of question.

Do I justify or Adjust?

Would love to hear your thoughts/comments.

Often Times storms come because of things or parasites that we allow onto our “boat” aka LIFE.
In the book of Jonah Chapter 1 we see that the sailors had to identify what was causing their storm. And when they realize it was Jonah, they had a choice to make, would they get ride of the problem or hang on and hope things changed. At first they didn’t want to throw him off, but after enough damage to the boat & cargo finally made the call to get rid of the cause of their storm.

I think the lesson is pretty clear, but lets put a couple action steps to it, when your in a storm do 2 things.

1. Identify your “Jonah”
   - Often times its hard for us to see the issue so get outside help like the Sailors did in Jonah’s story.
2. Throw “Jonah” Overboard!
   - When you find the issue dont hesitate in throwing it overboard.
   - Save yourself and throws around you a lot of heartache by moving quickly

• You cant keep the same Habits(Jonah’s) and expect the storm to stop…
• You cant keep the same bad influence friends(Jonah’s) and expect the storm to go away…
• You cant keep ignoring the word of God like Jonah did and expect the storm to subside…

As the story of David’s 3 mighty men are being told in 2 Samuel, you see a pattern. The enemy is coming, the “crowd” gets scared and runs, one of these mighty men stays and “takes their stand” and it says the Lord brought a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

The key, even if the odds are against you, trust God, stay strong, take your stand and watch how God works a victory in your life!

Only those who stay strong and take their stand in the face of adversity get to taste victory.

….now, TAKE YOUR STAND

Before you claim innocence of murder, lets probe the question further.

Have you ever participated in “KILLING TIME”?

I would say one of the most devastating things that someone can do is to throw away this precious gift we have called “TIME”.

Now I know you may think that Im being a bit to intense or maybe dramatic about the whole thing. And your asking me “Cant I just have some time to relax and chill?” The answer is yes. This blog isn’t about never relaxing or having down time. But I do want to raise awareness for us to stop killing time.

Its to easy to waste our lives away, one moment or one day at a time.

Have you ever woke up at the end of the week and thought, man, what did I do this week? or Where did the time go? Or even woke up at the end of Year and thought that?

If the answer is yes, than you may be a KILLER?

Will you be put behind a physical prison to serve your time, no but the crime of wasted time is real and will put you in a negative prison of sorts that dooms you to a meaningless existence.

Ok, so you get the point, here are some tips to help us not kill time but use it:

1. Plan your time // If you dont have a plan, you’ll guarantee to waste your time. Take time weekly & daily to plan your time.

2. Be intentional with your time // choose to invest your time(life) into the things that matter. Like the central call to all of us as Jesus followers is to build the church. Have we invested intentional time into sharing our faith with those around us and/or serving at our local church?

3. Seize your time! // This is your time, so much unneeded killing of time happens because we DELAY our use of it. Use it or lose it!

Time as an expiration date on it

Galatians 6:14(MSG) For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate.

I think that verse basically speaks for itself. We waste precious time when we spin our wheels trying to compare and compete with others. You are specifically and intentionally created and designed by God. Spend your time and energy focusing on honoring and pleasing God.

Live to please God not man.