Honor God
So what is most valuable to you during your short lifetime on this earth? Is “time” at the top of your list? If so, who do you spend time with?
Time is truly a unique resource. It cannot be accumulated like money or stockpiled like raw materials. We are forced to spend it, whether we choose to or not, and at a fixed rate of 60 seconds every minute, 60 minutes in each hour and 24 hours in each day. It cannot be turned on and off like a machine or replaced like a person. It is always consumed and irretrievable.
There is a story in Acts that we often use in our Leadership Development efforts in our advanced Bridges curriculum that deals with delegation and making the best use of our time with our unique giftings and callings to serve the Lord Acts 6: 1-4 (NIV)
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
This God-provided time management solution worked and the growth in the number of disciples, the continued ministry outreach and most importantly time in prayer with the Lord all flourished.
Spend Time at God’s Feet
There is another Bible story in Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) that is my wife’s favorite when our Lord Jesus says “Mary has chosen the better part“. Please read that story when you have a chance as it confirms the best way to spend our time.
We have much to learn in making wise decisions on the use and value of our time. But are we willing to learn? Or will we repeat the poor decisions and failures of the past through not wise stewardship of our time?
And make no mistake about it, your “time” spent in prayer, meditation, and communication with the Lord will produce eternal fruit that will last through the ages! Timeless and immeasurable actually.
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This was thought provoking for me now that I have reached retirement age because of decisions I need to make in the very near future concerning the balance of ministry, family (particularly grandchildren) and work. Dennis
Thank you for your insightful reply, Dennis.
So glad to hear the Lord is working on you and His perfect will and plan for this next chapter and season of your life. He will not disappoint. God bless, Kent
Yes,yes, and yes 🙂
So true my friend!
Thanks Kent for sharing about using our time, you are right of developing this issue that most of us as leaders need to spend our best time with the Lord than for so worldly activiies with no sens. May God bless you and take care while you are in India.
Thank you for taking your valuable “time” to read this post brother, Rene.
What a valuable resource and leader you and your family are to the Kingdom of God!
God bless, Kent
Kent! Great wisdom. I loved how you pointed out its the one thing we can’t choose to spend–we must! Ugh… Sometimes that’s so frustrating! Thank you for the encouragement to live the “dash” of our life (between birth and “death”) fully preparing for a lifetime with God!
Thank you for sharing, dear Teri. I’m glad this article encouraged you in your time with the Lord. Blessings to you and Hans.