How much of my time is enough for God? 多少才算足够？
Author: Jane Chen
“But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;”
Very often we question how much is enough to be dedicated to God. This is a big question for me as a mother as I must balance work, family and church demands. Since a few years ago, my schedules had to be planned hourly from Mondays to Sundays. If everything went according to plan, I could have dedicated a weekly 8 hours of my time to Church and enjoy 1.85 hours of Me-time.
However, nothing went smoothly and there was no time. My days were bitter, full of rage and disappointment, chasing after time. It came to a point where I needed to ask God: “how much my time is enough for you?
God revealed himself to me in my devotions: Galatians 1: 15-16 where God called Paul to repent and to preach to the Gentiles. Paul responded with his service. I realized we are all like Paul where we are saved by grace and are called to spread his word. God has invited us to enter into a relationship with him and we can learn about his nature and understand his call.
In my walk with God, he is always good. He blesses me abundantly and walks me through all challenges. This contact with the nature of God shapes my understanding that he loves me as much as his lost children. His overwhelming love overcomes my selfishness and I know it pleases him if I choose to serve him in bringing back the lost.
Today my posture towards serving is no longer focused on quantity of hours. The son of God reveals himself in me and out of devotion to him service becomes my everyday way of life.
文/陈晓苹姐妹
翻译/王佩瑾师母
“然而，当我在母腹里就把我分别出来，又用他的恩呼召我的那一位，16 既然乐意把自己的儿子启示给我，使我可以在外族人中传扬他，我就没有和任何人（“人”原文作“肉和血”）商量，”
基督徒常会问，我们献给上帝的时间，多少才算足够。对身为母亲的我，这是个相当大的问题，因为我必须在工作，家庭与教会之间找到平衡。打从几年前开始，我周一至周末的时间就必须以钟点来安排。要是一切顺利的话，我每个星期就会有8个小时的时间在教会事奉；留给自己的时间也有1.85个小时。
但是，总会有一些状况发生，让我的全盘计划被打翻。而我，就一直和时间赛跑，心中因此充满苦涩、怒气与失望。终于，我来到一个必须问上帝:“到底，献给祢的时间，多少才算足够”的地步。
灵修时，上帝透过加拉太书1:15-16向我显现祂自己。经文里，上帝呼召保罗悔改并且向外邦人传道，而保罗也以行动回应了上帝。这让我意识到我们其实与保罗一样，是得救恩并被呼召要传扬祂的话语的。上帝已经向我们伸出手，要与我们建立关系，让我们认识祂与了解祂的呼召。
在与神同行的过程中，祂总是好的。祂给于我丰盛的祝福，并陪我度过所有的挑战。像这样与神的接触让我了解到神爱我，就像爱祂那些迷了路的孩子一样。上帝那满溢的爱胜过了我的自私，且让我意识到，选择事奉祂，将迷失者带回到祂身边，是祂所喜悦的。
今时今日的我，不再把专注力放在时间的多少。上帝的儿子在我里面彰显自己，而出于对祂的奉献，事奉已成为我生活的一部分。