I Miss My Time with You!

Darlene Franks, Lead Pastor, Oroville Church of the Nazarene

NDI President, Sacramento District, Co-Regional SW USA NDI Coordinator (PLNU)

“Darlene, I miss my time with you!” I will never forget these words from Jesus while

feeling overwhelmed, empty and anxious during a busy time in my ministry. I had a

long to-do list and let the church calendar lead my life. I ran to the altar with

clipboard in hand, fell to my knees and cried out to Jesus for help and peace. I could

not keep up the pace. I was doing many good things but not the best thing!

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things,

but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better…

’” (Luke 10:39, 41-42 NIV).

One barrier to intimacy with God is a failure to prioritize. A mentor asked me, “Do

you calendar time with Jesus?” I was calendaring everything in my life except time

with him. I had forgotten my First Love. I repented and recommitted to prioritizing

time with Jesus as I had early in my walk.

I cried out and the Lord heard my prayer for help. I recommitted to make sitting at

the feet of Jesus a priority, and I sought out accountability from others. Now, when I

daily enter our meeting place, I sit at Jesus’ feet with joy and excitement. He really

wants to meet with me, and he cannot wait to meet with you too!