Making Time Count

Time.

 

We take it for granted, yet complain we don't have enough of it. Today's society encourages people to work longer so they can earn more and buy more. As a result, attitudes about the value of work and the value of leisure have changed. Family, friends, and personal enrichment—things traditionally cultivated during leisure time—suffer.

 

Recent studies reveal the average American has only four hours of true leisure time on the weekends because of the demands of work, home, and family.

 

We've learned to cope with added stress by denying the frailty of time. Believing we have all the time in the world, we tell ourselves, "We'll watch a sunset, marvel at the stars, read a novel, go on picnics, lie in the sand at the beach, or eat dinners by candlelight… someday." Only someday never comes.

 

The urgency of the hour dominates our lives, stealing our time and relationships. Too often we run around like headless chickens, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy in our days when, in truth, our lives are whirling out of control.

 

We often fill our schedules so full that we waste precious time on the nonessentials.

 

Perhaps lust for material possessions or the busyness of projects throws you off guard, making it difficult to hear God and His instructions. If you're thinking, I'm trying to listen, but why can't I hear from God? May I gently ask how you're listening? When you pray, do you wait for instructions or issue orders?

 

When we sincerely seek God's direction for each decision, opportunity, responsibility, and appointment, we slowly develop balance in our lives. Life is a juggling act—but no juggler perfects his act the first time. Keeping several balls in continuous motion takes practice. In the same way, we have to practice the act of balance in our lives.

 

Developing balance begins with your choice to meet with the Lord each morning to seek His guidance for the day. It continues as you become aware of His presence in each aspect of your life. It grows as you relax and trust God, willingly obeying His slightest nudge.

 

It is not impossible when you yield your life to God each day.

 

It has been said the believer's least requested gift is discernment—we have access to God and His wisdom. We simply need to ask God to fill us with insight and discernment for the choices we face and how we are to live.

 

When we seek God's wisdom and step out in faith, He becomes our strength, enabling us to accomplish whatever He chooses. We may not gain more hours in a day, but the time we spend will count for eternity. Our decisions and actions will be done in a manner pleasing to Him.

 

Time is fleeting.

 

And James 4:14 tells us, Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

 

How are you choosing to spend your time?