Concord Minute: Saintly time management

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” - Ephesians 5:15-18

In my first semester of college, I completed one of those 168-hour worksheets. The instructor’s motive in having the students complete the exercise was building good time management habits. Our college careers depended on us using our time wisely. God set 168 hours in a week. Those hours are supposed to be spent making wise decisions. Early in my college career, my time was somewhat foolishly spent. This 168-hour exercise was very helpful in showing me how I stewarded my time. This exercise continues with me up through today as I strive for saintly time management. Saintly time management is an ideal Paul invites us to consider.

In this season of life, I provide for my family by working as a pastor. I also take time to relax from the “gig” so I can have time with my family. Hobbies get sprinkled in too. But, those 168 hours fill up quickly! Saintly time management is a wise ideal as I faithfully steward those God has placed into my care: myself, my family and His church. I could fill my time with my hobbies, but there goes time with my family or time away from God’s people. I could spend all my time at work, but there goes the opportunity to see my kids play. I could spend all my time with my family, but bills need paying. I must be wise with my time.

Christians would be wise if we used our time in the best ways possible for the sake of others. Yet, how quickly does the calendar fill up with unnecessary or unhelpful activities? How quickly do we allow our 168 hours to be gobbled up by binge-watching TV, or registering our kids in every sport available, or work so hard we foolishly miss what God has wisely given to us? The American Ethos is “work hard, sleep later.” Parents boast how “busy” they are with their kids’ schedules. Workers boast how much overtime they received (only to pay down the massive amounts of debt incurred by foolish decisions).

St. Paul invites us to strive for saintly time management. While we wait for Jesus to return (and we pray He comes today!), God invites us to strive for saintly time management.

Every hour Christ delays is an hour to be wisely used. Christians aren’t to engage in sin, but engage those around us with God’s grace and mercy in Christ. So, how is your saintly time management? If you filled out one of those 168-hour worksheets, how would yours look? Time wisely or foolishly spent? May your time be wisely stewarded as we await Christ’s return!