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4 Ways to Make the Most of Our Time
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- Updated Sep 20, 2023
My youngest daughter joined her two older sisters at elementary school this year, so for the first time in years, I had a block of six hours, five days a week, to get things done. I like to think I am decent at time management, yet every day when the clock strikes 2:00 pm and it's time to get my girls, I ask, "Where did the time go?" Most days, I can easily attribute the passing hours to my part-time job, volunteering, or other household duties. But there are many days when I wonder if I made the most of my time. Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV) encourages us to,
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand the will of the Lord."
There are so many things we can give our time to, many of them good, so how do we live our lives wisely, making the most use of our time while surrendering to God's will?
1. Understand God's Will for Our Lives
"So, God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he made them; male and female, he created them." - Genesis 1:27
Numerous books, articles, and sermon series teach about discovering God's will for our lives. We tend to overcomplicate God's desires, but the Lord clarifies it in Scripture. He created us in His image so that we can glorify Him! Pretty straightforward, right? Well, yes and no. God is clear that our purpose, or how we spend our time, should glorify God. So, what does that look like in our lives? Here are a few examples from Scripture.
- Psalm 100:2-3 tells us that we bring glory to God when We acknowledge God as creator and worship Him.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 lets us know we can glorify God when we eat, drink, and whatever we do, as long as we point to Him.
- Matthew 22:37 tells us we bring God glory simply by loving the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds.
Scripture is full of verses on how to live in a way that brings glory to the Lord. We don't have to get bogged down on how we use our time. Instead, we should ask ourselves, am I using my time in a way that glorifies God?
2. Remember, We Are Finite Creatures
"So, teach us to number our days so we may get a heart of wisdom." - Psalms 90:12
When someone asks me for a favor, to join a committee, or to help with an event, I always want to say yes, which leads to me taking on more than I can handle physically, emotionally, and mentally. Once a year, I get what my husband calls the "Laura flu." There isn't anything medically wrong, but I find myself laid up in bed for a few days from burnout.
We are finite or limited creatures. We aren't capable of being all things to all people and doing it all; we have to decide where we will spend our time. We understand only God knows the number of our days, yet we operate as if we will live forever. We waste time scrolling through social media, hours TV binging or spend weekends filled with sporting events and leisure activities. None of these things are inherently wrong, but when we allow them to consume our schedules, leaving no breathing room and pushing us to exhaustion, we must ask if our priorities align with God's.
3. Consider the Season of Life You Are In
"A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war and peace." - Ecclesiastes 3:8
When my girls were four, two, and a newborn, I wanted to return to school. A part of me knew it wasn't the best time, but people go to school, have jobs, and raise families all the time; surely, I could do it, too! However, I didn't factor in the fact I needed sleep. My baby didn't sleep through the night after the first three months like my other daughters, my husband took a new job requiring him to work more, and the woman helping with my girls had to stop due to health reasons. Thankfully, I listened to my husband and other Christian influences. I didn't sign up for classes. It "wasn't the right season."
I share this because we often think we are making the most of our time by maxing out our calendars, neglecting sleep, and moving forward with our plans even when we know it's not the right season. Sometimes, we honor the Lord most with our time when we invest in the people and opportunities right before us. Just as the seasons change yearly, so will the seasons of our lives. Before trying a new activity, fill the empty place in the schedule, or take on more responsibilities, ask if it best uses your time in your current season.
4. Make a Plan, but Hold it Loosely
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
I don't like it when things don't go as planned. I become frustrated at the amount of time and energy I waste, not to mention financial resources. Having a plan, goal, and clear direction are great tools to help us stay focused and complete a project timely and efficiently. But, sometimes, our plans are not the Lord's, and "divine interruptions" don't necessarily mean we've wasted our time; it just means the Lord had a different direction for us.
By all means, make the to-do list, set the goals, and stay on schedule, but be flexible when the Lord prompts movement in a different direction. Unlike us, God isn't bound by place and time; He is beginning and end and can see the whole picture. Keeping eternity in mind changes our thoughts about what is essential for the current season. Making the most of our time requires evaluating where and how we spend our time, our heart's motives, and desires. Let us be people who are so focused on bringing God glory that we can't help but live in a way that makes the most of every season.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/MarianVejcik
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com
