What’s your assignment? God wants each one of us to use our time to the fullest capacity, and to make sure we are investing our time in the most important things. Its good practice to routinely ask ourselves the question, “how much of what I’m spending my time on is going to count in five or ten years from now?” To view our time through eternity and what really counts in the big scheme of things.
God encourages us to use our time in the best way we can. (Colossians 4:5 ESV)
We’ll soon discover what we are spending our time on if we take a look at our calendar or schedule. How much of our time is being spent on things of eternal significance, with real value where we are seeking to enhance the talents and gifts we have been given? How much time is wasted doing things of no lasting consequence; scrolling through facebook, looking at a screen, or being involved in or part of conversations or pursuits that don’t add or invest in others and our lives?
What assignment has God given us to do while here on earth? In what ways can we each spend our time differently so that we can accomplish all that God has given and placed in our heart’s to be and do
To help us make our time count more we can:
Spend time with Jesus, and read God’s word to gain wisdom, and to keep focused on your assignment in life.
Keep a diary – it keeps you on track and assists you in knowing who and what is taking up your attention and time. Like money, if we don’t budget our time, we can easily waste it.
Have a plan and focus for your time. Understand what you need to do to intentionally give your best and grow in all your different roles and activities. Set some goals and deadlines to keep you moving forward. It’s too easy to “fritter” away our time because we haven’t set any specific measureable goals. We fall into the “I’ll get around to it trap”.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15)
Take regular time out – make time to relax, recharge and refocus. God is serious about the need for us to all have a day of rest. He knows we need it to prosper and reenergise our minds, bodies, souls and spirits. When we refuse to take time out, we are on the path to “burnout”.
“And Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat”. (Mark 6:31)
Be open – allow God to speak into your life, and for Him to use others to encourage and inspire you. Learn from others who know more than you, or have been given revelation on how to live wisely and with faith.
My husband Philip and I regularly listen to and read teaching and revelation on those areas we want to step into and develop in our lives. We find encouragement from others who know God and His word. It helps us keep focused on our assignment, increases our productivity, our faith, and overall joy and happiness.
Invest some of your time into the lives of others. An overreaction to the busyness of life can cause us to become selfish and greedy with our time. This can lead to a misuse of our time, and prevents us from being loving, and being loved, the way Jesus intended.
Don’t live too much in the future – keep a balance. When we only live focused on tomorrow we lose today. Time slips away as we live too much in the future; next month, our next vacation, or a different job. Use the time right in front of you to better spend time with your family, your partner, with Jesus, and on being the person you were created to be.
When we become better at making our time count; at numbering our days, we begin to focus on what really matters in life, which increases our capacity, and ability to live a meaningful, loving and purposeful life.
“We are fools if we do not live our lives as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can.” (Buechner) We count our days and manage our time wisely, so that in the end, we can honestly say our days counted.
Prayer: Lord, I want my time to count. Would you show me what my assignment is from you, and how you want me to live that out today. Help me to live my life fully, bravely and as beautifully as you planned and created me to. In Jesus name Amen
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