“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men,but as wise,making the most of your time,because the days are evil.” “Make the best use of your time,despite all the difficulties of these days “(Ephesians 5:15-16)
Everyone has 1,440 minutes each day and 168 hours each week. Yet it is obvious some accomplish a great deal more than others in the same amount of time. Valuable minutes, even hours every day are wasted with insignificant things, and as a result, great dreams often remain unfulfilled at the end of life. Apostle Paul exhorts, “Make the best use of your time……” How can we more wisely use our time? How can we be faithful stewards of this Valuable resource God has entrusted to us?
1.Set goals
2.Establish priorities
3.Make plans
4.Start living.
First, set appropriate goals as guidelines to help fulfill the specific purpose God has for your life. Jesus is our example. He understood His purpose on earth and diligently set out to fulfill it. In His three short years of ministry He accomplished more than any other person in an entire lifetime. Goals are really “statements about what we believe God wants us to do or be.” Both long and short term goals should be written down and evaluated periodically. For example, read two books a month, spend five years as a missionary in Togo. Goals should be specific enough to determine whether or not they have been accomplished.
Second, attach priorities to the list of goals using ABC system. “A” represents a goal of great importance, “B” of medium importance and “C” of little importance. Goals without priorities are useless because they keep competing for time,leaving us frustrated. It is important we not be controlled by relatively unimportant tasks, while leaving the greater tasks undone.
Third, make plans to attain those goals, beginning with “A” priority. Seek the Lord ‘s help as you establish a workable plan to attain your goals. Dreams that God places on our hearts will not automatically be fulfilled unless we discipline ourselves daily to plan and take the necessary practical steps.
Fourth, start living out those goals day by day so that at the end of life we may confidently say with Apostle Paul, “I have finished the race”. We must be careful not to become legalistic with goals, priorities and plans, but rather remain sensitive to the Lord and others with flexibility to rearrange our schedule when necessary. Challenge yourself to set goals, establish priorities and make plans by asking yourself the question, “if I knew l only had one year to live,how would I spend my time.
Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom”.
