Time Management

In a fast-pace society it is very difficult to set aside time to spend in the presence of the Lord. We spend the least amount of time on the very thing we need the most. We tend to get behind on our work because we forget what is most important. What is most important is our relationship with the Lord. Matt. 6: 33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

This verse has become one of the most quoted passages in the Bible besides John 3:16. The problem with Matthew 6:33‑34 is that we often seek the Lord after there is a problem. We need to seek Him first as dependent children do their parents when they are in need. Corporate America is big on time management but even they are turning away from the “to do list” of the past to a “stop doing list.” Consider the following: “The start of a New Year is a perfect time to start a ‘stop doing list’ and to make this the cornerstone of your company, your family or yourself. It also is a perfect time to clarify your three circles, mirroring at a personal level the three questions asked by Darwin Smith of Kimberly ‑Clark: 1) What are you deeply passionate about? 2) What are you genetically encoded for? 3) What can make you a living?”

High-level managers recognize that passion is important when it comes to time management. Stop doing all things that don’t matter and make a “don’t do list” and see what you will accomplish. Remove the obstacles that keep you from the presence of the Lord and watch the Lord work on your behalf. (Eph. 5:16) If you are passionate about him, then let the amount of time you spend with Him reflect it. I like the question of Jesus that He presents to His disciples in the garden after they had fallen asleep: (Matt. 26:40) “could not ye watch with me one hour?” This is the Lord’s question for Christian time management.

Word for Today

Chronic ‑1. Of long duration; continuing: chronic money problems.

2. Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence, as certain diseases: chronic colitis.

Quote for Today

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”

- Benjamin Franklin