Our lives are shaped around time. And how we spend our time here on earth is of the utmost importance. Time goes by really fast – in fact, the Bible says that we are like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:13-15)
Want to make time slow down? Here’s a few suggestions – hold a plank or live through a pandemic!
When I reflect on my life, time has certainly flown by (minus these and a few other examples). Some periods of my life now seem like a blur because I was often consumed with busyness and routine layered with stress and anxiety. And I have wasted a lot of my precious time. Binging Netflix and scrolling on my phone are certainly not the most productive and worthwhile ways to spend my time. I think occasionally it is probably fine to do these things if it’s something you enjoy, but spending most of a day binging Honey Boo Boo is probably not the best choice!
Leonardo da Vinci once said that “an average human being looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting, moves without physical awareness, inhales without awareness of odor or fragrance, and talks without thinking.” In other words, instead of truly living our lives with awareness and intentionality, we let our lives pass us by without ever experiencing its fullness.
Ephesians 5:15-16 warns us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” We won’t get back the days we spend frivolously pursuing the things of this world. Or the time spent outside of God’s purpose for our lives. Our time is too limited and too important to spend on burdens, stresses, sin, and worldly pursuits. If we’re going to live our best lives, we have to center our time around God.
Here are some suggestions of things that you can do to make the most of your time.
Examine how you are spending it
Reflecting on the ways in which you are spending your time is a good way to assess the posture of your heart. If you spend the large majority of your time working for and/or thinking about the things of this world, this is a clue that you have not yet come into a right revelation of God’s purposes for you. And I don’t know what binging Honey Boo Boo says about me – probably not good…
Put God first in your life
If you spend most of your time simply getting through the day trying to find happiness rather than seeking the face of your heavenly Father, you are not putting Him first. Here are a few Scriptures that remind us of the importance of putting Him first.
“Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
God longs to teach us how to use our days wisely. He longs to give us a heart of wisdom that we might center our lives around Him.
“Give yourselves to God…surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13
Let God guide you
Ask God to help you follow his direction on how to spend your time as you go about the day set before you. He will surely guide you so that you will accomplish things that He wants you to accomplish. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
