“Goodness! Where did the time go?”
I’m always “losing” time, it seems to slip through my fingers
unnoticed, leaving behind a fistful of unfinished business.
Everyone gets the same twenty-four hours in a day. No
exceptions! Take one-third to sleep and recharge and there’s still sixteen
hours left for work, ministry and recreation. Even so we can come to the end of
our day feeling let down by time because we haven’t done everything we had planned
to do.
But if we’re being honest, we must admit that time isn’t the
problem. We are. We’re not losing time, we’re giving it away, mis-managing it.
We’re being poor stewards of the minutes and hours that GOD gives us daily, and
this cannot be pleasing to Him.
Our heavenly Father cares about time.
GOD cares about our stewardship of time. We know this
because His WORD tells us so: Pay careful attention, then, to how you
live—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the
days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians
5:15-17 CSB.
The WORD is very specific. It is GOD’s will that we manage our
time well. Why? Time is a gift GOD allotted to each of us to do His will here
on earth. We who are the body of CHRIST must be diligent about our Father’s
business, and pay careful attention, then, to how you live.
Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary on Ephesians 5:15-17
says in part that, Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and
lost when not employed according to his design.
Instead of asking where did the time go, we must ask am I
spending my time wisely; am I honoring GOD in how I use my time.
Our time is our life.
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. To undervalue our time is to undervalue
our lives.
Pastor and author Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) said, a
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, you do not get a recall. If you miss the
opportunity to make good use of any day, you’re operating at a deficit. Catching
up is hard! Time moves in but one direction, forward.
In our time management, as in all of life, GOD gives us the freedom
to choose. A believer ought to choose with a single purpose in mind, to glorify
the Father.
We may fall short but we can get back on track. Start each
day with prayer and scripture meditation and take as many such breaks as you feel
the need to during the day. This is by far the wisest use of our time if it will
help us to making GOD-honoring choices and decisions. Prayer and meditation on GOD’s WORD will refocus
our passions and GOD will always endorse what honors Him.
Pray for GOD to:
- remove tendencies toward procrastination and idleness. (James 4:17; Prov 10:4)
- reveal His specific will for your life. (Prov 3:5-6)
- give you wisdom to make good decisions. (James 1:5)
- strengthen your eternal perspective so you can put off worldly desires. (2 Cor 4:18)
- give you a divine appreciation for your own unique gifts and talents so you don’t become discouraged by other’s abilities and success. (Eph 2:10)
We are God’s people, and we are to be about his business…Time
is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be
contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the
joy of a child and the courage of a giant. While it is here, I will use it for
loving and giving. Today I will make a difference. From Max Lucado’s “God Is With You Every Day”
devotional.
Live each day the Ephesians 5:15-17 way:
- Make wise choices
- Make every minute of time count
- Make the will of GOD your focus
We each have a unique place and purpose in our Father’s
Kingdom so our days are not going to look the same. However, we each have one task
in common for every day, that is to fully embrace and enjoy each new day our Heavenly
Father gives to us. (Psalm
118:24)
GOD give us all things to enjoy, time included!!
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind
me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Omniscient Father and GOD, thank you for choosing us
to enjoy Your precious gift of time and for teaching us its value to the
Kingdom. Give us wisdom to know and do Your will and forgive us for
self-indulgences that do not benefit Your Holy Church. Thank You for answered
prayers and Your WORD that tests our hearts and changes our desires. To you
belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. In the name of JESUS CHRIST,
our LORD. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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