God always has time for you, but do you make time for him?
Like many young adults, I often find myself absolutely swamped with various school and work responsibilities and social obligations, which come with an overwhelming sense of stress. Only one thing truly eases that stress for me and promises an escape from my never-ending to-do list: giving my time to God. In Bishop L. Todd Budge’s talk “Seek Him with All Your Heart,” he emphasizes the importance of returning to the Lord for rest.
Photo by Kindel Media
When we are feeling overrun by life’s demands, giving time to God isn’t always easy. We may feel that giving God time will throw off our entire schedule. Bishop Budge teaches that “being still is an act of faith and requires effort.” When we have faith and seek God, he will bless us. I’ve seen this in the way that my time is multiplied when I seek to give time to him first.
Seeking God and being still doesn’t look the same for everybody. Personally, I’ve been taking extra time to commune with God through the scriptures. I wake up early and begin a slow and untimed reading of the Book of Mormon before starting on other tasks. For others, seeking God may look like attending church, going to the temple, rereading their patriarchal blessing, or implementing meaningful morning and evening prayers. No matter what giving time to God looks like, it can always be meaningful.
Bishop Budge emphasizes this point by quoting President Russell M. Nelson’s thoughts on taking time to commune with God. After listening to Bishop Budge offer a prayer, President Nelson observed, “While you were praying, I thought how much God must appreciate when we take time from our busy schedules to acknowledge Him.”
Especially when life is feeling overwhelming, we need to make time to commune with God. Bishop Budge reiterates President Nelson’s counsel that to hear the still voice of the Lord, “you too must be still.” If we find time in our day to slow down and seek God, we’ll find the time and rest we need.
Read more on how to seek the Lord in Bishop L. Todd Budge’s full talk, “Seek Him with All Your Heart.”
Source: General Conference
—Kiana Locke, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY TARA WINESTEAD
Find more insights
Read President Russell M. Nelson’s talk “What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget” to learn more about hearing Christ in stillness.
Take a look at President Susan H. Porter’s talk “Pray, He is There” to learn more about connecting with God through prayer.