James 4:14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (NLT)
Time.
Where did it go?
How it flies!
How much have you got?
I’ve run out.
In the ministry of Adult and Teen Challenge, people in our programs are constantly lamenting the speed that time has flown by. They wish they could take back a few years or even a few months! Time can often be seen as our enemy, as it flies past us and translates itself into regrets.
As I’m sure is true of you, I’ve heard all the cliché statements about time over the years. I’ve heard it from every angle. It’s such a crushing equalizer- time. No one can buy more of it. No one can earn more of it. No one can revisit it. It literally is one of our greatest earthly treasures.
Whether rich or poor, powerful or without influence, all of us have the same amount given to us each day.
Evaluating My Time
So, what takes up yours?
During this past season of Covid-19, I’ve been evaluating my time. How much am I using here, and how much there? Where is it going? Am I satisfied with the usage? Is my family getting enough? Is God getting enough?
In my personal goal to give more meaningful time to God, I’ve been reading through Bob Sorge’s book, Secrets of the Secret Place (highly recommend it). He says, “Our enemy will do anything to get us to curtail the amount of secret time we spend with God.”
You may or may not aspire to spend more time with God- perhaps you are not a person who puts much value in faith. Either way, you will agree that it’s amazing how we can look at our day and realize we likely didn’t spend enough time on the things we valued most.
Distraction
Distraction is a huge enemy, and the biggest cost will be our time.
A few years ago, one of my coaches challenged me with a unique homework assignment: For 2 weeks, take every 15-minute segment of your day and record what you are doing. Each hour has 4 segments. 2 entire weeks! As I painfully completed this assignment, I very quickly realized that, by far, distraction was my greatest enemy.
Today, as you read this, consider evaluating what your time is being spent on each day.
Who is getting my best time? My work? My phone? My family? My Creator?
Psalm 90:12 says, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(NIV)
Father, teach me about time. Show me how I can evaluate and give my best to the important things of life. Give me the wisdom to know the difference.
