Daily Devotional

Most of us have expressed frustrations with time demands. “I’m so swamped at work, I can’t seem to stay ahead of it all.” “I feel like all I’m doing is putting out fires.” “I work late every night, I can’t remember the last time I had dinner with my family.” “I have a project list so long I don’t even know where to start.” “When I finally get home from work, I’ve got no energy left for my family, I just want to veg.”
 
We live in a face-paced, demanding world, but the reality is, we all have the same 24-hours. We are limited in the number of tasks we can finish in a day. And as long as you keep saying “yes” to your bosses, they will keep heaping it on. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you have to communicate that to them.
 
There are plenty of books and articles out there on how to manage your time, but did you know Scripture actually has some guidance for us?
 
Ephesians 5:15–16
¹⁵ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
 
Here are three ways to manage your time.
1. Make eternal things your priority
(Matthew 6:33) :But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Make time for the things that matter to God. Spend time each morning in the Word of God and prayer. This will draw us closer in our relationship with Christ. When we put God first, the other aspects of our lives come together.
 
Make time for your marriage and your family. Care for them. Nurture those relationships. Have dinner together as a family as many nights as possible.
 
Make time for Christians at church. Be a regular attender of the church service. Join a Sunday School class or growth group. Be in community. Get to know Christians. Pray for these people. Ask them to pray for you. Care for them. Send birthday cards. Love.
 
2. Organize your schedule
(Proverbs 21:5) The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

In order to prioritize eternal things, you have to get organized. If you are getting up for the 9:00 Sunday School, then you plan to go to bed early on Saturday night. If you want to start a daily time in the Word, you set your alarm a half hour earlier. When we organize our schedule, we are more likely to achieve our desired goals. On the other hand, if we are always "off-the-cuff”, just reacting to things, or dealing with the tyranny of the gurgent, we will more than likely ignore the things that are most important. And unfortunately the ones we love, and the ones who love us, will end up getting the short end of the stick.
 
3. Don’t get distracted
(Proverbs 4:25–26) ²⁵ Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. ²⁶ Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.

During our workday we get bombarded by texts, calls, and email messages from people with requests that divert our attention from whatever it is we’re working on at that moment. This steals productivity and efficiency. Does your phone have to always be right next to you so you see it every time it moves? Can you close your door when you are trying to finish something?
 
Early in my ministry a mentor taught me a valuable lesson. He said, “When someone comes to you to make unplanned demands on your time, simply say, ‘Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” If you respond to everyone else’s emergencies, you won’t be able to fulfill the things that are most important in your own life.
 
So…think about how you are using your time. We should not misuse any of the time God has allotted to us. If we are living our lives valuing what God values, everything else will fall into place. Evaluate the things that take your time based on the things that really matter.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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