Managing Our Time

Successful time-management consists of so much more than who can get the most done in the least amount of time--as Christians, we want to be sure we're about our Father's business and fulfilling His plans for our lives. We need reminders of this often--it's easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing and get ahead of the Lord so much that we end up asking Him to bless what we've already decided to do instead of waiting for His wisdom and timing. I have learned this the hard way by taking on tasks He never intended just because they appeared to be needful! No wonder I fizzled out--I'd been trying to do it all in my own power.Jesus saw many needs when He was performing His earthly ministry but even He didn't meet them all--instead He did the work that His Father had given Him. That's all anyone can do--seek the Lord for His will and do it, not becoming side-tracked, even by seemingly worthwhile things. These side issues can drain us or keep us so occupied that we aren't able to accomplish what God has called us to do in the first place.

How much stress could be avoided each day by taking time to seek the Lord first and ask Him for wisdom and help in establishing priorities? Daily we see so many needs and have so many demands--it can seem overwhelming at times. We need to use good judgement in how much we take on in this busy season of our lives. God has called us to be wives and mothers first of all, and this takes time. Too many outside activities can rob us of the time we need for our family. We must discern what is God's will and say no to everything that is not, in spite of what others may think, staying focused on what we KNOW God has called us to do.

Try making a list of how you spend your days, writing down everything that takes at least thirty minutes. Evaluate your day and prayerfully determine what is important and what can be eliminated. If you find you're spending too much time on things of little importance, and too little time on what really matters, you will have a good starting point for change. Remember though, don't try to change in your own power--turn to the Lord and ask His help! We must also allow plenty of time for refreshment and recharging.

If we aren't filling ourselves up with God's Word and praying and getting enough rest, how can we expect our ministry to others to be effective? Jesus knew the value of coming apart to rest for a time; in spite of the demands and needs of the crowds, He took time to recharge. We're all familiar with the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10--Martha felt overwhelmed with all the work and wanted Jesus to tell her sister Mary to help her, but Mary was sitting at His feet, receiving His Word.

Ken Gire gave a wonderful commentary on this passage in his book Windows of the Soul: "The words spoken to Martha are words spoken also to the Martha in me. But what were those words correcting? It was her worry, not her work. It was her being upset, not her being under pressure. The issue wasn't her preparations; it was her distractions. It wasn't the many things; it was that the many things didn't revolve around the one thing that was needed. There was no quiet center that

A Dozen Time Management Tips:

DON'T . . .

rush ahead of the Lord--His timing and wisdom are crucial

try to meet all the needs, it's impossible!

get side-tracked, even by "worthwhile" things

allow too many outside activities to rob you of family time

let the enemy rob you of your joy--it's your strength

confuse the urgent with the important

DO . . .

Pray for the Lord's guidance and help each day

Look to Jesus as your example. Study His Word, His life as revealed in the Gospels. Ask yourself, "What would Jesus do in this situation?"

Plan for interruptions and needed breaks

Your work as unto the Lord.

Take time to enjoy your family.

Stay focused on what God has called you to do and seek to view everything in light of Eternity.

Martha was working from, no solitude of heart, no still axis around which her activities revolved.... I don't want to live in the kitchen of religious activity, distracted with all my preparations. I don't want to live slumped over some steamed-up stove, worried and upset about so many things. I want to live at the Savior's feet, gazing into His eyes, listening to His words, and seeing as many windows as He'll show me....when we're at His feet and our heart is still, we can hear Him even when He whispers."

Offer up each day unto the Lord and ask Him to guide you by His Holy Spirit! Ask Him to help you use your time efficiently and to keep you from being so rushed that you neglect to hear His Voice. Take time to appreciate and treasure the people He brings across your path each day--especially your family. The Lord has given us a gift of 24 hours, that's 86,400 seconds today. How many of those seconds have been spent praising the Lord, encouraging our children and family, speaking LIFE to others instead of death, BLESSINGS instead of curses and grumbling? Let's make a positive difference in someone's life today! Each day is a new beginning, a fresh start. God wants to do beautiful things in and through us as we yield to Him!

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