7 Myths Men Believe & the Biblical Truths Behind ThemMuestra

The Myth: “I honestly don’t have time for serious spiritual commitments right now.”

There’s this guy at our church named Barry. He’s a really great guy. I admire him because he’s always helping out at church, volunteering for things. This morning he calls to ask me to consider joining his Tuesday morning discipleship group. It sounds like a good group of guys, but they meet super early—like 5:45 a.m. at the church. Barry brings breakfast, and then they all go through some book discussion and pray together, and they’re done by 7:15. It gives everybody time to get to work.

I think this is probably the third time he’s called in the last year or so, asking me to help with something or join some group. And while I know I should get more involved, I keep putting him off. I feel that my life is just crazy right now. Work is stressful. I get home late a lot of nights and feel just whipped. Plus my house is old, and something always needs to be fixed; I’m constantly doing home improvement projects. But what really holds me back is that I’m divorced, and I get my kids half the time. That’s hard because when they are with me, I feel like I have to drop everything else.

So, I think I have to tell him I just can’t commit to it right now. Maybe I’ll have more time in a few months. The start of the school year is always so busy. I do want something like this, I just don’t know how to fit it in.

The Truth

Life is crazy and busy for most guys. Often it’s hard to know what to prioritize, which options are good, and which are best. One very dangerous excuse about cultivating a deeper relationship with God is that “one day I’ll get around to it.” Don’t bet on it. It’s not likely to just happen without effort on your part. “Urgent” responsibilities and “good” opportunities expand to fill all your available time. They have a tendency to crowd out the important and the best ones. It’s imperative to establish your priorities and then ruthlessly make time to pursue them. Here’s some practical help:

• Look at how you spent your time over the last six months. Review your personal calendar. What would an objective person observe and conclude about your priorities in life from your schedule?

• Browse through your most recent credit card statement. What do your expenditures reveal about your spiritual commitment?

• Realize that nobody stumbles or wanders into a healthy spiritual state. A life that honors God is chosen, carefully monitored, and pursued. You will never get there if you don’t make the decision and then take the necessary steps.

• Contemplate some Bible verses that speak about the brevity of life. For example Psalm 39:4–6; 90:10,12; James 4:14.

• If you’re not in some kind of small group, Bible study, or accountability group, find one and get involved. We all need the healthy accountability of other believers, a fellowship of strugglers. Such a group is like a safety net—a reminder of what matters most.

• Some of the hardest decisions we make in life are not between good and evil—they are between good and the very best. Are you using your time in the very best way?