Time: Who's managing it, and why does it always seem to slip away?
Not having enough time is a social ill with no boundaries. Everyone is affected, believers and non-believers alike. From a believer's standpoint, I struggle. How can I praise and thank God for His wisdom and sovereignty one moment and exclaim that I don't have enough time the next?
It's not time that's lacking, I am. I either have too much time on my hands or not enough. I'm either too busy or too tired because I'm too sinful -- too self-focused. No? What if I've signed up for seven committees and volunteer every day? Wouldn't I have a right to complain about not having enough time.? Um... nah!
If I'm too busy to smell a rose, return a smile, give a hug, or make that call, chances are I do more than I ought, and for what... to make God look good? God doesn't get much glory when I complain, especially about not having enough time. It's high time for a heart-search. (Matt. 6:1)
But I really do mean well. Oh yes, I know. That's why I use such well-worn phrases like next time, next week, next year, when I retire. Wait, I am retired and still lack time. The reality is that I do have enough time. I just don't spend it rightly! Like money, I want to spend most of it to make me look and feel better. In my frenzied busyness of doing, I lack time for God and others because I want time for me. But time is much more precious than money because I can't save, buy, or make more of it. If I don't use it wisely, it's gone.
If God is truly good and wise and sovereign, and He truly is, then He has given me/us, all of us everywhere, enough time to do what He has decreed for us to do. Yes, time has drastically shrunk since the fall of mankind. We've become mortal. We die. Our days are numbered - a mere vapor - a breath exhaled in the vast expanse of eternity, but nowhere does it appear that God has left us with never enough time (Ps. 90:12). God does not and did not set us up for failure, sin did! God has provided His remedy through Christ and His Holy Spirit to convict, correct, and guide us. (Eph. 5:15,16)
Time is God's gift to us, not an unruly tyrant. If we spend our time a little more selflessly and a wee bit more willingly, then pouring ourselves out seems more refreshing than exhausting. Time seems more well-spent when we consider God and others more than ourselves (Phil. 2:3, Matt. 6:33). But if we spend much of our energy to look good before God and others, then we'll find that we're spent and very short on time. Time seems wasted because we didn't get enough of it for ourselves.
More next time, but first, won't you read this.
“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah Psalm 39:4-5"
Dear Petra, I thoroughly enjoy reading this. I do agree that since man has all of these "time" saving gadgets man does not use his time wisely. Many of these things take away from family and time to talk and be together. I am so glad you wrote this post and hope that many people will read it and absorb it. Blessings for a beautiful day, Your friend, Catherine xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catherine! His richest blessings to you!
DeleteI love this! I miss my mother a lot, but her death at only age 58 has helped put time and priorities in perspective, to weigh what will have truly lasting value against what is just a striving for temporary gain. Despite this, I need reminders like your post to spend my time wisely. It never ceases to humble me how easily I forget what's really important. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think my comment didn't make it . . . something weird just happened. So I'll be more brief: I love this! I need reminders to make the most of my time according to our Lord's priorities and not by the world's. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Emily, for being patient enough to leave two comments. I am glad that the post was an encouraging reminder for you.
DeleteSorry that your comment disappeared! I have comment moderation enabled, which makes all comments disappear until they are approved. Thank you again with grace and love!
Petra, dear friend, thank you for your words and taking time to write them! I've felt so convicted the last few weeks for the time I spend on social media. It's why I no longer post daily. ☺ Isn't it amazing what we can accomplish in His will when we take Him up on the gift of time He has given us? Happy Sunday, sweet bloggy friend! ☺
ReplyDeleteThank you, Larri. my online time has shrunk dramatically and I am much more productive with the gift of time. Blessings on your weekend, friend!
DeleteWell said my dear friend and sister! "Time is God's gift to us, not an unruly tyrant."
ReplyDeleteMay God give us the grace to use our time for His glory!
Amen! Thank you so much for your visit and encouragement! Blessings!!
DeleteUsing my time wisely is one reason I am trying to become less "dependent" one the thing that seems to suck up like an hour of my time everyday.....TV!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing better than most to only spend an hour daily. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteDear Petra, Just dropping by to say hello and thank you for your kind visits to my blog. Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday, Catherine xo
ReplyDeleteYou're too sweet!!
DeleteWell said! I am one of the worst offenders when it comes to complaining about time and how quickly it slips past. I will try to remember your words next time... pun intended.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan! I thought I was the worst offender. :-)
DeleteI don't know how I am missing your post...I thought you weren't posting, my sidebar says something about your Christmas post...oh well...sorry I missed these.
ReplyDeleteWell you said it better than I did when I posted the "Too Busy" card...you summoned up exactly what God has been telling me this month...this is excellent. I am hoping aging also has taught me more of this.
Oh my blood pressure..well back home, recording daily...117/78 and highest 120/80...I am fine...just keep that BP machine away from me at the doctor's office...LOL
So glad I rely on the one who has my days numbered.
Now I am going to go caught up on what I have been missing all month!!
Thank you, Janette! You've not been missing much. I'm still trying to iron out the changes and how to blog them. :-)
DeleteHello Petra, Just dropping by to say hello and that I wish you a good and blessed day. Catherine xo
ReplyDeleteUsing time wisely is something I find I have to continue to reassess. So easy to get caught back into bad habits. One of biggest time stealers for me is checking email in the morning....it can be like a black hole, one thing leads to another and before I know it an hour has passed.
ReplyDeleteOur days are numbered, do not have limitless opportunities
Like a black hole... is a great analogy! I pray that God will help us both in that area, as I hear you so loud and clear! Blessings!
DeleteDear Petra, Just stopping by to say hello and I hope all is well. Thank you for the visits. Blessings, Your friend, Catherine xo
ReplyDeleteYou are a dear friend! Three visits and comments on the same post... I better blog something new soon! Blessings and love!
DeleteI've noticed before that when I use my time less selfishly, there seems to be more of it somehow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ma! I've noticed that too. Blessings to you!
DeleteThis week has been a struggle and time has simply been time. As long as I read the Bible and pray every day, I count it a good day.
ReplyDeleteReading the Bible and praying do count for a good day, and time well spent. Visible or measurable (by our standards) accomplishments are not the only accomplishments that count. Thank you for your visit and comment. Blessings!
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