Priorities, Pressures, People
Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 16:3, Proverbs 3:5-6
One of the great challenges and pressures of everyday life is including all of the people and tasks into our daily schedules. Many people regret wasting time and missing opportunities, so they purchase a time management “tool” in an attempt to save time. How often we hear about families that have been divided because one or both of the parents was not able to get time under control. Marriages are on the edge of disaster because there is no time set aside for cultivating the love relationship that once was growing. Many Christians have guilty pangs in their stomachs every time they see a Bible because their days are beyond full of activity, and the Bible is neglected. Not only are the spiritual lives of Christians on the back burner, but physical exercise is ignored since no time is left in our busy schedules. So we continue on our daily journey of guilt, frustration, pressure, and regret; hoping that someday something will happen to change us into organized and productive people with the time to do what we want and what is needed. Well, since we know that hoping is not going to bring about the change we desire, what can and should we do?
Remember, if you plan to CHANGE, you will have to CHANGE.
Daily prayer for wisdom, direction, vision, and understanding.
Consider how much time you actually have available to do things outside of the necessary.
Determine what MUST be done today.
Decide if you have enough time today to complete the task, or if you can carry it over into another day until it is done.
Cross out things that you cannot or should not be doing with your time.
It is good to have a master list of projects that need to be done sometime.
Plug in all the things that relate to family and personal growth.
Be honest and ask yourself if you can do what you have planned in the time available.
Reserve time for quiet time, children, and husband/wife.
This will take discipline and diligence, but it is possible to live a life of purpose and meaning couched in relationships that bring joy along with service to God that is productive and Biblical. Remember, the piles of “things” that are advertised to help you “save” time are just tools and only work as you utilize and program them. The machine or paper has no conscience or concern. Only people can think things through, practice self-discipline, make decisions, and have value.