We live in a busy world and the chances are you are living quite the busy life. You are trying to juggle all the different hats of husband/wife, father/mother, employee/boss, student/teacher, caregiver, and friend. Throw in some extracurricular activities and hobbies and the list will grow once again.
The danger comes when our lists are so filled and our lives are so busy that we have not taken or made the time for what is most important. Beyond all the hats I wear and responsibilities I have is my relationship to the God who has rescued me by His own glory and goodness through Jesus Christ. My greatest achievement in life is when I find where my story fits into the greater story of God. I was made on purpose for a purpose. Sadly, I often fail to take or make the time to cultivate the relationship that I was made to have and fulfill the purpose of God in my life in my generation.
How do we do it then? Here's a couple suggestions.
First, start with the big rocks. Set your priorities from the beginning. Someone or something is always going to want you time. Someone or something is always going to be screaming as though it is the most important person or thing in your life. It could be. But then again, maybe not. Place the big rocks in your life first. If you are not sure whether something qualifies or not, ask God's wisdom. Above all, God first.
Second, make a plan. We usually fail to accomplish what we fail to plan. Planning is not wasted time. Praying is not wasted time. These are essential in the preparation for your life to be ordered well.
Third, watch the clock. I once heard it stated, "He who steals my purse steals my money. He who steals my time steals my life." Know what is most important (big rocks). Know how you will make those a priority in your life (plan). Guard your time and don't let the time needed for the priorities be eaten away by lesser things. Notice, I didn't say the lesser things were "bad" things. They just aren't priority.
Now I write all this not as one who has mastered it. Far from it! I write it because every week and most days I am fighting to do these three things.
I have found that often when I have protested that I don't have the time for something, what I am really saying is that it isn't a priority. I find it is often true that what is important will be done. If not, it won't. This isn't always true as there are cases when there simply isn't the time for a certain thing. However, when it is a priority to read what God has written to me, talk with the God who loves me, gather with brothers and sisters united in Christ, and serve others to display and declare the gospel, then I not only take the time, but I make the time.
The time may not always seem readily available to take. Therefore, if it is important, I will make the time by letting go of a lesser thing.
Take a Daniel moment:
1. Praise God for the day and time He has given you today.
2. Ask God to arrange your priorities according to His kingdom.
3. Pray for Jesus Christ to lead you to take and make the time you need in order to accomplish what is most important.
The danger comes when our lists are so filled and our lives are so busy that we have not taken or made the time for what is most important. Beyond all the hats I wear and responsibilities I have is my relationship to the God who has rescued me by His own glory and goodness through Jesus Christ. My greatest achievement in life is when I find where my story fits into the greater story of God. I was made on purpose for a purpose. Sadly, I often fail to take or make the time to cultivate the relationship that I was made to have and fulfill the purpose of God in my life in my generation.
How do we do it then? Here's a couple suggestions.
First, start with the big rocks. Set your priorities from the beginning. Someone or something is always going to want you time. Someone or something is always going to be screaming as though it is the most important person or thing in your life. It could be. But then again, maybe not. Place the big rocks in your life first. If you are not sure whether something qualifies or not, ask God's wisdom. Above all, God first.
Second, make a plan. We usually fail to accomplish what we fail to plan. Planning is not wasted time. Praying is not wasted time. These are essential in the preparation for your life to be ordered well.
Third, watch the clock. I once heard it stated, "He who steals my purse steals my money. He who steals my time steals my life." Know what is most important (big rocks). Know how you will make those a priority in your life (plan). Guard your time and don't let the time needed for the priorities be eaten away by lesser things. Notice, I didn't say the lesser things were "bad" things. They just aren't priority.
Now I write all this not as one who has mastered it. Far from it! I write it because every week and most days I am fighting to do these three things.
I have found that often when I have protested that I don't have the time for something, what I am really saying is that it isn't a priority. I find it is often true that what is important will be done. If not, it won't. This isn't always true as there are cases when there simply isn't the time for a certain thing. However, when it is a priority to read what God has written to me, talk with the God who loves me, gather with brothers and sisters united in Christ, and serve others to display and declare the gospel, then I not only take the time, but I make the time.
The time may not always seem readily available to take. Therefore, if it is important, I will make the time by letting go of a lesser thing.
Take a Daniel moment:
1. Praise God for the day and time He has given you today.
2. Ask God to arrange your priorities according to His kingdom.
3. Pray for Jesus Christ to lead you to take and make the time you need in order to accomplish what is most important.
