If our lives were a pie, how much do we apportion to the things of God? How small would be the slice that we give to Him? Not responding as we want to see ourselves or how we want others to see us, do we give Him slivers or is He the filling which permeates every aspect of our lives? For our waking hours, lets say 16-18 hours, what portion of every day is spent doing the things of God? This means when we have spare time, are we reading, listening, and talking about the things of God, or are we consumed with politics, sports, secular music, etc? What percentage of our conversations include God? At work, do we bring God into it, or is this time spent apart from God? For at work, being around unbelievers, opportunities abound. If another pie were to represent our finances for the month, and we looked at our checkbook and credit card statements, what piece is apportioned to God? How about our weekends, how much is devoted to the things of God? This is something I seriously think should be done. It wouldn't take long, but it may open our eyes. We, who are in Christ like to say that God holds first place in our lives, but is that what reveals itself if actually put down with pen and paper?

As Paul is passing the baton to Timothy to carry on what he began, notice Paul's words in 1 Timothy 4:6-11, "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end, we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach." These were Paul's instructions to Timothy. If they were Paul's instructions to us, would we be following them faithfully? Again, make those pie charts, how well do we match up? He goes on with his good advice in 4:13-16, "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine...Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." Paul did not tell Timothy how to make little slivers of his life and devote them to God, he advised him to integrate God into every facet of his life.

So, the question is, are we full time or part time followers of God? See, our lives are our ministry. This doesn't just mean pastors, etc. We, who are called according to His name have enlisted into full time ministry in every facet of our lives, but often have neglected this reality. Many have allowed our family life to become a mixed bag: a little Jesus, but focusing more on other things. Most avoid Jesus all together at the work place. Christians love to complain how a godless agenda has taken over the work environment, but the real question is what was our part? Do we quietly complain to the few like minded individuals who share our views or do we reflect Jesus in the work place whether others like it or not? If we choose to go unnoticed out of fear of the repercussions, consider Jesus' words in Matthew 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Our nation has become a cesspool. Most of our work environments are no better and reflect the same godless principles of our nation. For many, our family life has also not reflected God like it should. I challenge all of us to take the pie challenge. Many of us talk a much better game than is actually taking place in our lives. Only by considering each part of our lives as being for or against God, can we bring our lives into submission to the Lord of our lives.