Redeeming the Time
I never got round to blogging yesterday as once again I aimed to do far more than I could possibly get done in just one day. Is it just me who does this? I find that I frequently over-estimate what I could possibly do in any given set period of time. Next week I am planning to read 6 books and 20 magazine articles, write a book, prepare a whole series of sermons, rescue about 12 people from the brink of disaster by my counselling, spend hours praying and fasting before the Lord, learn to play the guitar, walk the Three Peaks, paint a masterpiece, learn to beat my son on the Playstation and become an expert in origami!! And have a day off!
Actually, though, as I have spent time talking to God, I’m reminded of the importance of giving time first to the Lord. Giving him the best of my time. In fact, as I’ve considered that verse about redeeming the time, I realised that I’ve always thought of it only in terms of buying back the time, or making the most of the time. But redemption always involved the paying of a price, the making of a sacrifice. We have to be willing first to give time to God. And when we make a sacrifice for God, we never lose out! He always gives back far more than we could ever give him. That is why sacrifice is not just about our commitment; it’s about our faith! Do we believe that God ‘rewards those who earnestly seek him,’ that he gives far more back! Abraham did when he prepared to sacrifice Isaac. This does not mean that by giving him the best of my time, I end up with a 28 hour day. But it does enable me to make better use of the hours that I have got as I allow him to set the priorities.
Once again I find myself praying the prayer of Moses:
Teach me to make the most of my time, so that I may grow in wisdom
February 9th, 2006 @ 11:13 pm
Trev: I am realising after all these years that the more time I spend with the Lord, then I seem to achieve much more in less time on other things. It takes a lot of work though; I seem to judge success by activity rather than productivity.
February 27th, 2006 @ 11:46 pm
Trevor, I have been struck by the comments of Jesus when He said that He only did what He saw the Father do. I often try to get creative with my time and yet the greatest time manager ever never got creative only revelatory. With your sharp mind I would think that you come up with new directions all the time but I am confident that HE will direct your steps.