As we head into another week of being in quarantine, I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And then it hit me.
These past weeks may actually be a great gift we’ve received! Have we taken advantage of this miracle of time we were all given? Or are we wasting it?
The problem with time, which is poetically depicted as a relentless thief, is one of the biggest riddles of the universe. The truth is our decisions and actions define whether time is our enemy or ally.
It’s time we take control of our time, living our own life--not someone else’s--and getting the most out of it.
As the moments tick away that make up another dull day, we realize we may never make up for the lost time. We can never reclaim the time we may have wasted. But we can change our habits now and spend this time on things we love and need.
And that’s what these weeks at home have taught me. I realized my choices in what I did each day were important. I want to look back at this rare time and not be remorseful.
You know the saying, ‘If you have something that needs to be done, give it to the busiest person you know.’ Why? Because a busy person knows they must manage their time, or they won’t get everything done.
Those of us with too much time? We waste it. Which is a horrible thing to do to the time God has given us.
We are to manage this gift. We are called to be good stewards of all God gives us.
Stephen Covey, author of the famous time management books, said, “The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” In other words, you can spend time on useful or useless things, but if you call it ‘investing’ you will seek for something that has value and importance for you.
So, we need to choose wisely so we can spend our time on what we want to invest in.
10 Tips on How to Wisely Use Your Time
1. Change your perspective. You are in control of your day. Yes, your little ones may be clamoring for your attention, but structure the day: Get up each day at the same time, have meals and snack times at the same time, have everyone take a reading/rest time in the afternoons, plan a special activity each day and each night.
2. Stay tuned into positive people. Don’t look at texts, emails, or Skype if you know it will be negative.
3. Be thankful. I don’t know your situation, but if God calls us to ‘give thanks for all things’ then He knows that is the best way to handle any life crisis.
4. Be grateful. Don’t look at what you don’t have. Look at what you have! Do you have a roof over you, clean water, electricity, food, loved ones close by? Please, put your thoughts on God and His gifts and not on your circumstances.
5. Look at this time as a privilege. When, other than in war times, has the world come to a stop? You aren’t running your children everywhere in the car, you aren’t running everywhere for meetings, etc. Take a deep breath and enjoy having extra time in your life!
6. Look around your environment. Is there something you can change? Can you finally get to those closets/drawers/pantry/garage/attic/basements and clear out the clutter and organize? I promise you will feel like a huge weight has lifted from you when your house is in order.
7. Make a joy list of what you love to do. You have time now to read those books stacked up; to paint; to learn a language or a musical instrument; to move your body to music or exercise; to write those personal notes or emails; to call that relative or friend. And it may be as simple as relishing that cup of coffee; looking at the trees and birds in your back yard; taking a walk; curling up with a book.
8. Think of ways you can spend this extra time with your children, your spouse, your friends. Use this time to bond, to get creative, and to build the family and relationships you have always wanted.
9. Laugh as much as you can each day!
10. Some advice from others: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is give us." J.R Tolkien
“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” Maria Edgeworth
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Bil Keane
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Izabelle Acheson
11 Scriptures to Help You Make the Most of Your Time
God’s Word advises us to use our time wisely because He knows there are many things in life that can distract us from what truly matters. And this is the main point I want to make: Do not waste your time so that you look back with regret – you and I don’t know what tomorrow holds!
Read and study these Bible verses about time to better know how important every moment is in light of eternity:
1. As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4
2. Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17
3. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
4. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. I John 2:17
5. Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander…yet it stores its provisions in summer and gather its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8
6. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
7. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet not one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
8. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1
9. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5
10. 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. James 413-14
11. My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Psalm 31:15
Let's appreciate this gift from God to its fullest and use this time for amazing things!
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Dayne Topkin
Lane Jordan Burday is a writer, best-selling author, international motivational and inspirational speaker, singer, artist, Bible teacher, and professional life coach. She lives in Frisco, Texas with her husband who partners with her in ministry and waits impatiently for daughters and granddaughter to visit! Lane’s desire is to encourage, support, and motivate women of all ages to be better wives, mothers, and women of God by organizing their lives and time. You can find her at: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com and her blog at www.PathwaysToOrganization.com.