Time is the currency of our lives. It is kind of possibly our most beneficial resource. Once it’s been spent, we never get it back. In the busyness of our schedules and unending to-do lists, we easily overlook the worth of time and the impact of how we spend it. So, what does the bible say about how we’re to spend our time?
There are many passages and verses that talk in regards to the importance of time, together with instructions for find out how to live our lives day after day. One example we are going to explore today comes from Ephesians 5:15-16. In it, Paul says this:
“Pay careful attention, then, to the way you walk–not as unwise people but as sensible– benefiting from the time since the days are evil.”
I’m a practical sort of girl. I like an excellent 5 step process or a concrete takeaway that will be incorporated into my day by day life. If I’m honest, loads of the Bible, or not less than the way it is presented at times, seems very abstract. I often leave with more questions than answers. While that’s not all the time a nasty thing, I need us to take these two verses and see if we are able to pull three practical ways to live them out in our on a regular basis lives.
First, let’s have a look at what these verses are saying. Paul is instructing the Ephesians to listen and watch out with how they’re spending their time. He even tells them that point will be spent properly or unwisely and encourages them to take advantage of every moment.
I believe if we were sitting around hanging out with Paul, he’d have an identical message for Christians today. With a lot distracting our attention from everlasting things, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. There appears to be a relentless stream of demands with work, family, friends, and maintaining all of it on a day by day basis. Add in phones, computers, and TVs, and it’s no wonder we get to the top of our day wondering where on the planet our time was spent.
Let’s have a look at three things which will help us “take advantage of the time” and practically live out Ephesians 5:16.
1. Identify Your Priorities & Set Goals:
One way the Bible encourages Christians to make use of their time properly is to forged a vision. We live with vision by identifying our priorities and setting realistic goals that make sense for our season. By partnering with God, we ensure our vision is rooted in Him. Our calling as Christians is to “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind.” Setting a vision involves recognizing the overarching purpose and priorities for various features of life.
This intentional approach to setting vision not only provides a roadmap for navigating life but in addition fosters a way of purpose and direction in accordance with God’s will. Vision then informs how we spend our time. If a task or request isn’t in alignment with our vision, we are able to confidently turn down the chance. Ultimately, as we create a vision in alignment with biblical principles, we actively take part in benefiting from the time, living out Ephesians 5:16.
2. Time Blocking & Planning
The easiest strategy to “listen” to how we’re spending our time is to know where all of it goes. Time blocking and planning are easy yet effective tools to take advantage of every day. As a stay-at-home mom, I get how time blocking can seem irrelevant in certain circumstances. Maybe you might be in an identical season of life where, at first mention, time blocking doesn’t seem to be it might make a difference. I used to imagine the identical thing until I attempted it. And let me let you know, I used to be fallacious!
Using schedules to write down out things we had occurring through the week gave me what I wish to call the skeleton for my week. The “skeleton” is made up of basic recurring events. In my case, back then, nap times, feeding times, church services we attended, bible study, and other regular outings. I also wish to look ahead for the week and write in any appointments, practices, or meetings that could be coming up.
Just with the ability to have a look at this alone provides you with an summary of where your time goes so that you could begin to pay more attention to where you’re spending it. Next, you possibly can take into consideration all of the stuff you’d wish to get done through the week. These may include serving, volunteering, chores, rest, house projects, hobbies, spending time outside, or hanging out with a friend. When you time block you dedicate specific chunks of time to an event or activity. Don’t forget to write down it down!
When we consistently time block, we now not need to wonder where all our time goes. We have all of it written down in front of us. Keep this easy and simple as you start. Whether you employ a blank piece of paper you discover lying across the house or a flowery planner from the shop, don’t let the small print of getting began keep you from going for it. Time blocking might be the simplest way for us to make probably the most out of each opportunity and manage our time properly.
3. Prioritize Time with God
This one could appear obvious, but it surely’s all the time value repeating. Prioritizing intentional time with the Lord through prayer, studying, and reading the Bible is all the time the most effective strategy to take advantage of our time. Learning and growing in relationship with Him equips us to raised love and serve others. There have been times in my life after I’ve added time blocks for things like bible study, prayer walks, or simply “being” to my schedule in order that I see it visually specified by my week. God is omnipresent, so we don’t need to go on the lookout for Him in certain places. He’s in every single place on a regular basis. His Spirit guides us continually. But doing something so simple as writing it into your week will aid you prioritize spending intentional time with God day by day.
We all prioritize our time and provides it away to something. I often should be reminded that point with God needs to be among the many top priorities in my day by day life. When we take time to renew our minds, we grow to be more like Christ. When we’ve an accurate view of who God is, it gives us an accurate view of who we’re. Both of those come from spending intentional time with God. And it’s okay if you might want to plan for that to be able to prioritize it in certain seasons.
When we learn to take advantage of our time and steward it properly, we are able to practically live out what Paul is saying here in Ephesians. Let’s commit to taking note of where our time goes and the way we’re spending it. Let’s determine to make use of it properly. Let’s partner with God in redeeming the time we’ve here on earth before He calls us home. Fulfillment, joy, contentment, and peace are all words that come to mind after I take into consideration living a life dedicated to walking with Jesus and spending my time on things that hold everlasting weight.
May all of us spend our time more properly.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/BrianAJackson
LISTEN: How to Have “Inexpressible Joy” Even While You’re Suffering
1 Peter is a book of the Bible all about enduring suffering and trials, and even finding joy within the midst of them. This joy is intriguing since it’s mentioned within the context of suffering and trials, difficult us to know how we are able to experience such profound joy amidst difficulties. Let’s dive into 1 Peter with Nicole Unice, host of the How to Study the Bible podcast, and learn find out how to grasp inexpressible joy, regardless of what you are facing.
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