Make Time for the Lord

When our days are full and fast-paced, it’s easy to overlook what matters most. In this episode, I share how the Lord invites us to slow down, be intentional, and make space for sacred connection. Through personal stories—from piano recitals and marathon training to the timeless wisdom of Mary and Martha—I reflect on how giving our time to the Lord builds trust, deepens faith, and strengthens spiritual momentum.

Quote:
"I plead with you to make time for the Lord... As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum."
—President Russell M. Nelson

Journal Prompts:
• Am I giving the Lord equal time to my other priorities?
• What is one action that, if done consistently, would help me feel closer to the Lord?
• Is there something I can set aside to make more time for the Lord in my life?

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Transcript

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Welcome back to the Shine on Podcast. I really am grateful to have you here and to have you participate in some of my short little lessons about keeping spiritual momentum going in our life. I want to share a thought this time about time. This phrase,"make time for the Lord" has been on my mind for the last little while, and I realized that it's a term that President Nelson had used a few years ago in one of his conference addresses. He said,"make time for the Lord." And so I've been thinking about that a lot and what does that mean to me? Well, for me, time is one of the greatest commodities that I have. It's limited and it's a valuable resource. It's a precious asset that I have, and once it's gone, I can never get it back. So I've been really thinking about how I use my time and how I make time for the Lord. What do you make time for? I was thinking back in my life. I made time for dating. I made time to prepare for a piano recital. I made time to run a marathon. It's interesting what priorities come up in our life and we set other things aside and make time for something that we really want to focus on or that we really want in life. So I remember in high school, college I invested a lot of my time and focus and energy into dating this really cute guy, Richard. I found myself trying new activities just for the excuse to be with him more. Somehow I was able to find time for schoolwork and find time to build a relationship, and the end of that story is still not over. We've been married 35 years and the time that I invested in that relationship has paid off and it continues to grow. I still have to invest time in my relationship. But I also, in college, played the piano. I was a music major and I needed to prepare a piano recital my senior year, and I remember the hours and the hours of time that I put into that. Of course, it was not great timing because I was engaged to be married the next month. My recital was like three weeks after finals. It was a very busy, crazy time, but somehow I made space in my life to be able to practice for two to three hours a day so that I'd be prepared for that piano recital. Another example, is running a marathon. I think it's a crazy idea I got in my head that I could run a marathon. But the months and weeks leading up to that, it took a lot of dedication, sacrifice, and focused energy and time on doing the long runs, doing cross trainings, and putting the effort into it so that I could reach the goal that I wanted. So as I've grown older, I realized that my priorities have changed. Now I'm not so interested in running a marathon. I still have to keep up my piano skills and my relationships. I'm still focusing on those in a different way to build deeper, meaningful relationships. But what has not changed for me is the need to make time for the Lord of my life. One of my favorite scripture stories is when Jesus went into the house of Mary and Martha. I'm just gonna read this part in Luke chapter 10, verse 38 through 42. It says,"Martha received Him into her house, and she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him and said, Lord, doest thou not care what my sister hath left me to serve alone, bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her." So this is a story and an example of Mary who took the time and listened and slowed down her life, put other things aside to make time for the Lord. I relate more to Martha, honestly, because I am busy and going about my duties and serving others and thinking that's a very noble thing. Which it is, but this story teaches us that it is important to make time for the Lord, put other things aside and focus on Him, and give Him our heart and our mind, and our spirit to listen and to be guided by the spirit. So as I have been thinking about making time for the Lord, I realize it is very much a relationship. Taking time for the Lord is building a relationship based on trust and love and caring about one another. When I invite the Lord into my life then I feel His love and I know that He helps me in the things that I need. Some of the ways that I make time for the Lord in my life are personal scripture study, studying Come Follow Me, prayer, fulfilling church callings, ministering, partaking of the sacrament, worshiping in the temple, and pondering on the things of God. These are ways that I make time for the Lord in my life and I feel His love and I feel His increased capacity as I face everything else in life. President Nelson has said, I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum." He said it again,"I plead with you to make time for the Lord. Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always." I love this reminder because the Lord is a priority in my life and each day I have an opportunity to invite Him in and to let Him be a part of my life. I like to end my podcast with some journal prompts. So here are some prompts to think about and ponder. Am I giving the Lord equal time to my other priorities? What is one action that if done consistently would help me feel closer to the Lord? And the third one, is there something I can set aside to make more time for the Lord in my life? Whatever time you have to give to the Lord, consecrate it with an intentional focus. He makes up the difference that we can't. President Nelson promises He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life each and every day." If today's story reminded you of a time when Christ's light felt brighter, or if you're longing to feel more of his light, I'd love to connect with you. I am scheduling free mindset breakthrough calls to offer new insights so that you can feel more peace and purpose. Come find me on Instagram BeckySchettlerCoaching. I'd love to hear what today's message stirred in your heart. You'll find links to my free resources and website in the show notes.