Redeeming Time (Part 3: Managing Time)

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If you had $1,000 in cash in your hands, how would you steward it? Would you have a controlling grip on it? Would you just leave it on an open palm and depend on chance to keep it secure? Would you use it with a plan? Would you use it on a whim? Whenever money is in question, people usually have various opinions on how to steward it because money has value.

Time is also a resource. In fact, it’s the most precious one, because you are allotted a finite amount for your entire life. You cannot earn more or make trades with it. Still, many don’t put much thought into how they want to steward this limited resource over the course of their lives.

My husband has some of his disciples do a helpful and informative exercise every year: a day log that requires you to take note of what you do and how long you do it, all throughout the day. After a few days of doing this exercise, most people come back sheepish.

You quickly realize that you spend way too much time on things that do not matter. You also come to realize that no one on earth can say that they do not have enough time to pray and read the Word.

We need wisdom for the momentum of each day does not naturally lead to victory and triumph. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

The sins of the world and the force of your flesh are both up against you every moment of the day. It has been like that since Genesis 3 in the Garden of Eden. Every day, there is a slew of challenges to keep you from prospering as a Spirit-filled Christian. Proverbs 6:10-11 says it best, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Every Christian must wake up intentionally. You must begin your weeks strategically, with the right priorities in place. Is there time to pray? Is there time to serve and love others? Is there time be excellent at home and in the workplace?

All it takes is just a moment to open up Facebook on your phone or listen to a co-worker as he or she intrigues you with gossip. It could be that funny meme you were tagged in right before bedtime. Oh, and let us not forget that Netflix episode that was supposed to be a one-episode-long break but became a marathon of the entire series. Before you know it, your mind has wandered onto a place of fleshly nonsense — you lost hours.  

No one can say that they do not have the ability to love a neighbor. God gave us 24 hours each day to properly love Him, love others, and love ourselves to the best of our abilities. Although it may not feel like it sometimes, those 24 hours are enough.

I believe wasting time is a matter beyond the issue of boredom.  It’s a matter of expectation. If we expect very little of our day, it is easy to waste it.  However, if you knew that your day was packed with kingdom potential, there would be a hunger that could not be satisfied by mindlessness and pettiness. Jesus said that our Father in Heaven is always working, always doing something (John 5:17).

Time is like the ocean. If you remain idle in the ocean, you will be swept away. If you do the bear minimum of treading, you will remain in the same spot. In order to really move forward, you must swim, and you must swim diligently.

If you are young, may you crush it as a youth on fire for Christ. If you are a single adult, may you inundate your days with prayer and radical service unto the Lord.  If you are married with children, may you rule and reign over the time spent raising your little warriors. May you never cease to harvest for more lives saved and more hearts changed for the gospel. If you are in your later years, may you spend your days passing down wisdom and training the upcoming generations.

If you are breathing, it is because God is not done with you yet. He has more promises He want to fulfill for you. He has more work He wants to do through you.

(Read Part 1 and Part 2 of the “Redeeming Time” series.)