Making the Best Use of Our Time

I have said it myself and heard versions spoken by others, “I am not managing my time well!” We never seem to have enough time to do everything we want to in a given day. We wake up early and go to bed late, trying to squeeze more in, but 24 hours is all we will ever have in any day.

Are we spending our time wisely?

Does God care how His children use their time?

Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time!” (ESV); “Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork…” (THE MESSAGE)

Time is a gift from God, just as life is a gift. It’s a package deal, we don’t get one without the other. If we undervalue our time we undervalue our lives.

Pastor and author Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) says one day is a link in the “chain” that represents our entire lives, “…the single days do indeed make up the whole, and that the value of each single day depends on its influence on the whole. One day lost is a link broken in the chain, which it often takes more than another day to mend.”  

Once a day is over we do not get a recall so we function constantly at a deficit once we miss an opportunity to make good use of any day. Time goes in only one direction, forward.

Our Father gives us free will and we can choose how we use our time. But when we do make choices we should do so with one purpose in mind, which is to glorify the Father with our lives. If we desire to live this way our choices would include:

• Goodness over evil - of thought, word and deed.
• Gratitude and goodwill over complaining and meanness.
• Doing for others over having others fulfill our desires.
• Giving way over insisting on our rights.
• Occupations that edify and build others over wealth and empty pleasures.
• Walking in peace and harmony over sowing discord. 

Our place and purpose in our Father’s Kingdom is unique and how we practice these principles will look different for each of us. If we are uncertain about the specifics, we ask God for help, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5

Every child of God does have one thing to do in common every day, and that is to fully embrace and enjoy their day; it is the reason our Heavenly Father makes each one fresh and new. (Psalm 118:24)

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in Heaven, whose NAME is Holy! Thanks and praise be to you for the gift of life and time and purpose. We are your children and the sheep of your pasture who should know your voice. Teach us to pay closer attention so our every waking and resting hour have purpose and meaning in your Kingdom and our time is well spent to your glory. Give us wisdom and understanding as we take this journey of life on earth with you. Holy Spirit be our counselor and guide, so the Word of God penetrate deep into our souls and make us one with the Father. Forgive us Father when we grieve you by our careless and thoughtless behavior. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile