You don’t need more than 24 hours a day. If God knew you would need more than 24 hours to achieve all you need in one day, then he would have squeezed in more hours of daylight. Day and night were put in place to remind us of the importance of rest and managing our time well.
What would you do if you knew today was your last day to live? There are some ‘urgent’ things you have planned for today that would not make it to your bucket list. Jesus actually found himself in this position. The day before His crucifixion, he spent time washing the disciples’ feet! How crazy is that? You would have expected him to spend quality time with his family, rush to do some more miracles before his time was up, or to just be anxious and try to do too much on his last day.
Who better to teach us about how to spend our time well than the author of time Himself? God did not try to create the earth and all that is in it in one day. So why are you trying to fit in too much in your 24 hours a day? It will only lead to disappointment and the feeling that God is not blessing you. Take a deep breath and let’s talk about how you can manage your time and enjoy your life.
Take Charge of Your Time or Somebody Else Will
Start by taking responsibility for your time. The Bible emphasizes this by telling us to redeem our time 24 hours a day. You will redeem your time by committing it to God and asking him for guidance to plan it well. You cannot wake up late and complain of not having enough time to juggle all you need to. If you don’t plan your time, someone else will plan it for you.
Set goals and prioritize the tasks at hand. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Be as practical and as honest as possible with yourself as you are drafting this to-do list. With God’s guidance, you will know what to do with your 24 hours a day.
Stay Focused
Why waste time making a plan if you are not going to follow through with it? Eliminate any distractions and bad habits that will sabotage your time management plan. Here are a couple of things you already know you need to do to stay focused. Consider this a reminder:
- Use a calendar or planner
- Manage your smartphone or it will manage you
- Estimate how long each task will take and stick to the schedule
Rest, Even the Inventor of Time Rested
Without rest, you will suffer burnout. Set aside breaks within your day and also a day to rest. After creating the earth for seven days, God rested on the Sabbath.
Resting gives your body and mind the opportunity to refresh and recharge. Find quality things that will help you to get the most out of your resting time. Soak yourself in a bathtub, enjoy reading a good book, take a walk in the park or nap. Everyone rests differently.
Be Present For Your Family 24 Hours a Day
“This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it….” Remember this Sunday school song? It is still God’s will for you to enjoy your day. The secret is to have all your mind on what you are doing at the present. Do not just be physically present absent mentally and emotionally. Honestly enjoy your life. Enjoy your work, taking care of your family, a light conversation, your home, tastes, sounds, and everything that makes up life. It is impossible to enjoy all these if you are overwhelmed with the business of life.
Recap
Review your day and decide on ways to make your tomorrow better. Take charge, stay focused, rest, and always be present.
If you are struggling with managing your time well, comment below. I would love to hear about the impact this conversation has had on your mindset. I’d also love to pray with you and send you whatever resources or support that I can.