Be brief. Be brilliant. Be gone. Wise words. Many people wish there were more people who adhered to these principles. Most people only want 5 minutes of your time. But seriously, how many times does that 5 minutes turn into 10 or 20. And how many people like that does it take until your whole day is gone and none of your work, or very little, is done?
Time management is an important part of our culture. I recently heard women talking about how guilty they felt sitting down to watch TV and doing nothing else. It’s okay to watch TV if you are folding laundry or doing ironing or cleaning. But you can’t just sit and watch TV or read. That is lazy!
Children are put into programs and sports and dance and music until they barely have time to breathe. They are kept going from the time they wake up until the time they are put to bed. As teens they are encouraged to take 2 or more AP courses a year, as well as sports and music, drama and clubs, and community service.
We as adults try to jam as many things as we can into as few days as possible. Even our vacations can be so planned and programmed for pleasure and relaxation we need to rest up before going back to work.
Our work days are planned meticulously to try to get as much done as possible, always ignoring the myriad of phone calls, interruptions, unexpected meetings and walk ins that usually take out huge chunks of our day.
So what do we do? Post the sign on our door? Be brief. Be brilliant. Be gone. And hope people won’t be offended?
Some people plan for interruptions knowing that they will happen anyway. And if they don’t happen they will have time to get more done. But is this the best we can do?
How does God help us time manage? Proverbs tells us: We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it. And: We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD’s purpose prevails.
The wise man goes to God in prayer and then listens. Only then can he make his plans knowing that God walks with him. He can balance his work and the many needs that come his way, trusting God to show him which way to walk, which turn to take, when to stop, look and listen.
Smile and encourage others, give way on the freeway to other cars, let someone go in front of you in the checkout line, enjoy little children (they soon grow up!), listen to the weak, the needy, the elderly, cherish moments with your loved ones, hold to your hearts beautiful moments, and lift up your soul to the God who loves you and give back your love to him.
I Peter 5:7-9 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
