Topic: The Best Expression of Love Is Time [RICK WARREN Devotional 6 March   2023]

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The Best Expression of Love Is Time

BY RICK WARREN — MARCH 6, 2023
FROM THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE

“We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.”

1 John 3:18 (GW)

It’s easy to go through life stressed and overloaded. But getting your relationships right is one significant way to reduce the stress you feel. Yesterday we looked at one truth about life and relationships: The best use of life is love. Today we’ll look at a second truth: The best expression of love is time.

You may think that love is spelled L-O-V-E. But a better way to spell love is this: T-I-M-E. The Bible says in 1 John 3:18, “We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words” (GW).

When you love someone, do you know what gift you desire most from them? Their focused attention. When I love you, I want to see your eyes. I want to talk. I want to listen. I want to commune. I want to fellowship. I want you! The greatest gift you can give anyone is your time—because your time is your life.

Time is your most precious commodity. You only have a certain amount of it. God has already decided the number of days you are going to live; you’re not going to get any more. You can always get more money, but you cannot get more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving that person a portion of your life that you will never get back. That’s why your time is the greatest gift you can give.

Many people are in time-starved relationships. They may live in the same home, but they’re passing each other like ships in the night. Even though they give a goodbye kiss here and there, their relationship is shriveling. It’s drying up for lack of attention.

Many things can rob a relationship. Work can rob a relationship. Activity can rob a relationship. Too much church involvement or ministry can rob a relationship. Even hobbies can rob a relationship.

You may wonder, “How can I find more time for those I love?” Start by turning off the TV, unplugging the computer, and putting down your phone! It’s amazing to me that people spend so much time in the virtual world while neglecting the people right beside them.

If you want to revitalize a dying relationship, a dying marriage, or a dying friendship, start with investing more of yourself by giving the gift of your time.

Talk It Over

• What are the things—even if they are not necessarily bad things—keeping you from giving your time to people in your life?
• If you are in a dying relationship, what changes can you make to give the other person more of yourself through the gift of your time?
• Is quality time one of your “love languages”? Even if it doesn’t seem important to you, how do you think the people you love perceive quality time with you?

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