Time: The One Ring That Rules Them All

The week ahead shimmered with possibility.

I woke up Monday morning, on point to hit the pavement running on an exciting ministry project.

Business woman on scooter

With only a few appointments on my weekly calendar, there would be several solid mornings with little to interrupt the creative flow I anticipated. I had risen early, finished my walk, and I felt good–ready to begin the day.

Rinsing my cup in the sink, I thought through my agenda. Finish the housework, balance the checkbook, and then roll up my sleeves and dive into my project.

As I dropped a soap tab into the dishwasher and closed the door, a face rose in my mind’s eye. It was a familar face, a dear face, one with whom I had promised to spend time that week. I leaned against the counter, my thoughts skittering back over my day planner. Whoops! That’s only going to leave a couple mornings to work on my project…

Daily Organizer

Now, it’s not that I didn’t want to spend time with a friend. Shoot, if left to my own desires, I would spend most of my time chatting the day away, sipping lattes, and swapping stories. Who wouldn’t?

Nevertheless, I began to whine. “But this ministry project is a work assignment–a big one—and I have a deadline. . .”

I opened my computer to double check my schedule, and an email reminder of an upcoming meeting swallowed another day. Frustrated, I canvassed my calendar for time to meet my friend and work on my project. That’s when the Lord reminded me of Psalm 37:26.

The [righteous] are always generous….”

God wanted me to be generous with my time as well as my resources because people are always more important than projects. Even ministry projects.

 

Friends

Time is a commodity with which few are willing to barter. I mean, think about it: Isn’t it easier to drop a note in the mail than to stop and actually spend time with someone? It sure is for me. In fact, I have to admit that I struggle to surrender any of my time wholly to God–or anyone else.

Time is a tyrant–often an enemy–that rules our day, our world. Time challenges us, shapes us

. . . it reveals us.

God cares about people. And sometimes, even in the throes of “ministry,” I forget that.

 

What about you? What helps you surrender your time to God?

 

 

Photos courtesy of Microsoft Office Online

 

 

Comments 6

  1. Oh time – it gets away from me and so many things steal the most important time of the day – that with the Savior. I pray that in this difficult time that God will multiply your time and give you just what you need to accomplish His will for you each day.

  2. Honestly, I don’t always surrender my time to Him. I try. In the morning I try to ask Him what He’d like to have accomplished through me in that day but sometimes, sometimes my own thoughts and plans get in the way. I try not to be too rigid with my time, which is not easy. I tend to be a planner, write it down so I can check it off the list, type of person. But, the unexpected if necessary and sometimes brings the greatest blessing.

    1. I think you hit on a key to wise time management: flexibility. 🙂

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