TIME MANAGEMENT FOR GROWTH AND HAPPINESS   (PART 2 OF 2) 

1st NOVEMBER 2021

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16

 

Life itself has a cycle; some things are best done when we are younger. That is one of the reasons we have a retirement age in our labour laws. Also, at a certain age, you are not likely to be employed to work in certain positions. There is already a limitation placed upon us by age. We must, therefore, “make hay while the sun shines”, so you don’t get trapped in unemployment distress at old age.

Some people spend so much time making merriment and relaxation when they ought to sow good seeds in their ventures; some also go to bed when they ought to burn the midnight oil to seek the face of God or do something profitable along the line of improving their ventures. TIME misspent or wasted cannot be regained.  You may not realize how much time is wasted on frivolities, idleness and irrelevant experiences until you begin to take stock of your victories, successes and disappointments.

How is your TIME allotted to your daily activities? Jesus says, in John 11:9-10, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him.”  Here, Jesus is reminding us to do the needful at the appropriate time when opportunities are ripe, as there is time for everything. Further to this, the scriptures advise us to place our time management in the hands of God and to seek His will in all our ventures, not relying on our wisdom alone. That will give us a good guide into time management so that we don’t hope in vain or do the right thing at the wrong time (James 4:13-17).   

For effective use of your time, adopt the following keys:

1.     Take responsibility for your time. Make good use of your God-given time for a profitable venture (Ephesians 5:16). Take charge of your time to the best of your ability. If you don’t do that, something else will steal your precious time and fill in the garbage instead. Those who allow garbage into their life hardly live a fulfilled life. Please remember once again; there are distractions everywhere.

2.      Seek God’s Guidance through meditation and regular prayers. Remember, God created you for good works. The scripture says in Ephesians 2:10, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”. Therefore, you need to know how and when to serve God better with your gifts of the spirit. You also need God to guide your friendships and every good work of your hands so you don’t get derailed or spend valuable time gallivanting around or occupied with unprofitable ventures and dissipating energy in the wrong places.

3.     Plan your schedule correctly so you don’t go through the months and year without any visible achievement calling for celebration.  Pray to know the will of God for you, and ask the Lord each day on the best way to realize His will for you. Endeavour to assess yourself every day before going to bed by asking the relevant question; “what have I achieved today?

4.      Stay focused.  Continually searching for missing documents or items is a waste of time. Organize your studies and work properly, and file documents properly in an orderly manner (Exodus 40:1-16). Also, endeavour to do things in sequence in line with the allotted time. Endeavour to prioritize your limited 24 hours of the day by stating one action against a schedule and work to perform the task as scheduled. Set seven jobs daily in order of your priority and work towards achieving each. By so doing, your time will not be stolen by procrastination or other thieves of time.

 PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, today, I seek your guidance and wisdom on how to manage my time more profitably to serve your glory and to uplift the lives of others. Lord, give me the strength to overcome every distraction that tends to steal my time away. I decree success each day, and I remain focused on the use of my talents and opportunities. AMEN.

FURTHER READING:  Colossians 4:5; Proverbs 21:5