On the top ten list of things I do not like to feel, right at the top of my list, is the feeling of being robbed. How about you? Have you ever had something stolen from you? In that moment, there is this sense of vulnerability and insecurity that floods your mind. The craziest thing is, just a moment before you realized something had been taken from you, you were feeling just fine. 

Corrie ten Boom once said, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he will make you busy.” Her logic is so truthful. Busyness and sin have the same effect: they rob you of some of the most important things in life. Many of us are too busy to live the emotional and spiritual lives God intends for us to live. We have been robbed by a “sneaky thief”.

Now, do not misunderstand me, there is a healthy busyness where life is full of things that matter, not wasted on empty pursuits or leisure. Jesus Himself kept busy with Kingdom work. The problem is not having lots to do; it’s having too much to do and the only way to keep up is to hurry. When we get in a hurry, things start falling apart.

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus responded, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself ” Mat 22:37-39 NLT. 

Let’s be honest, love is time consuming. We all know this to be true, there are no short cuts when it comes to real love. It takes an enormous amount of time to love well. Love and hurry do not mix. Almost all of my worst moments as a husband, father, neighbor, and friend happened when I was in a hurry and tried to cram too much into my day. I allowed tension, anger, and criticism to flow out of me.

Don’t believe me? The next time you are trying to get your type-B wife and three daughters out of the house, and you are running late (a subject on which I have a wealth of experience), pay attention to how you interact with them. Does it feel or even look like love, or does it fall more in line with anger, agitation, and bitter words?

No wonder the Apostle Paul begins his definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 with the words “love is patient”. God moves slowly because He is Love, and Love has a speed. I believe this is the reason people view their relationship with God as “walking with God” instead of saying “running with God”.

Life is filled with many interruptions, and there is no doubt in my mind that you will face some today. But what if we looked for ways to be present in the moment instead of just rushing through. Be present in love… be present in love, and refuse to give an opportunity for the sneaky thief to rob you of your most precious commodity… time!