Time and Attention

Scripture: So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Observation: When we love someone, we share the gospel of them ... but we also share ourselves. We share our time, our attention, and our lives with them.

Application: Throughout this section, Paul talks about just these two ideas in demonstrating his love for the believers in Thessalonica - that he shared with them all about Jesus and taught them the gospel even while there was pressure not to; and that he thinks about them often, wishes to be able to visit them, and was glad to spend his time with them.

This is a sign of loving others - giving of yourself, and yourself starts with your actual time and attention. This is true of parents with their kids, and it is true of spouses, and it is true of bosses with their staff. Our time represents our love.

Where do I spend my time? I spend too much of it online, or watching sports. When I am giving my family my time, I need to also give them my attention. When I am at work, I need to start demonstrating God's love by giving true attention to the lives of others. And when I am doing none of the above, I need to give my time and attention to God.

I need more time in prayer. And I need to be more present with everyone when I am giving them my time.

Prayer: Thank you for your teaching today, Lord. My love for others cannot just be about "how do I tell them about Jesus." It needs to be about "how do I give them time and attention to show them God's love." And ... this starts with giving YOU my love through my time and attention, Abba. May I focus on you more and more, and on myself less and less. Amen.