WEEKLY WISDOM - TIME

Time: the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues, duration.

The most precious commodity on earth! As we are in conversations with our family and friends, many of their schedules center around not having enough time to complete what they want to do or being so busy that they cannot stop and enjoy the present moment.

Time is one of those elusive fixtures in our minds that can haunt us throughout life. When we are young, we can't wait to be older. When we are teenagers, we can't wait to be an adult so that we can enjoy the privileges and freedom of being adults. We can't wait until the weekend comes, that vacation arrives, or when we can see the love of our life.

Then there's another perspective. Slowly, time creeps when we're at a job we don't love. We wish time would hurry up and move on in hopes of being released from challenging health, financial, or relational situations. Time stands still when waiting on the results of a diagnosis or a phone call we are anticipating, hoping to get positive news.

Oh yes, there's another twist to time. Father time moves so fast when we reach a certain age. The years seem to fly by. We wonder where the time has gone. Our mortality kicks in, and time seems to go even faster. Time whizzes when we are buried in our work or engaged in projects we love.

Note: Time is constant! It never changes, remains the same, and goes through the same cycles minute by minute, day by day, year after year, and so on. The challenge is your mindset and perspective that may warp your sense of time.

I have to admit that I have struggled with my perspective of time in many twists and turns because I didn't understand the gift of time. Being disciplined about my time has yielded excellent results in many areas of life, especially when I am focused, consistent, and present.

If you use time wisely, you will experience positive consequences. We all have experienced or heard about time-wasting activities- binge-watching mindless TV, playing video games until the early morning, primping ourselves for an important event only to find that when we show up, many of the essential activities have already concluded, and we are left wondering what happened.

As leaders, we are encouraged to redeem the time and make every moment count. Also, being present in the moment to get the most out of any and every situation gives us a heightened appreciation for life.

Here is an encouraging scripture about redeeming your time and the importance of perspective and presence with time. Ephesians 5:15-17 states, 15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (NLT).

Challenge: Examine how you spend your time. Challenge accepted?

Exercise Your Power this week-

1.       Determine areas here you can realistically maximize your time.

2.       Identify 2-3 areas in your life that are time-suckers and look to eliminate those over the next 30 days.

3.       Examine how you spend your time in a week’s time and make the necessary adjustments.