Time Management

Amazon lists just over 77,000 titles related to the management of ones time. Like all books, some are likely great and some should have never been written. I personally use little tactics gleaned from different books on the issue. However, I found the following to be that which challenges my heart the most. Perhaps it will be of some benefit to you.

I.    Realize that you don’t own it
A. As Christians, we have long since accepted God as the sole occupant of infinity. As long as we are on earth, human beings are living in a finite realm, bound by time passing at a rate we can neither stop nor slow. Why then, do we wake every morning feeling as though we are the lawful possessor of 24 hours? Why do we view our time at work as a sort of tax on the hours we would otherwise own? Why do we view our time at church as a charitable donation, a token of our generosity toward God? Why are we so outraged when an unexpected visitor interrupts a lazy evening? Because someone has stolen the time we thought we had at our own disposal. This is foolish. We cannot own time any more than we possess the moon. It’s a morbid thought, but once you accept the fact that death is inevitable, life becomes more precious. (This paragraph sounds too smart to be something originating with me. It could have but I can’t remember)
II.    Acknowledge that life is brief
A.    Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days rightly, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
B.    James 4:13-14 says, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
C.    Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.””
III.    By Purposeful Living
A.    Colossians 4:5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
B.    The answer is not busyness – You can be busy and be going nowhere
1.    People stay busy because of their egos
2.    People stay busy to cover up for laziness – They simply walk fast and look nervous
3.    People stay busy because of greed
4.    People stay busy because they are men pleasers – can’t say NO
C.    Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
IV.    Reproduce Well
A.    Jesus Christ knew he had limited time so he reproduced well.
1.    Supreme love for God (Matt. 10:37-40)
2.    Study and devotion to God’s Word (John 8:31)
3.    Denial of self (Mark 8:34)
4.    Live as a reflection of Christ’s love toward others (Matt. 22:39)