In Trying to Manage My Time? Don’t Go It Alone

In review of Ecclesiastes 4:9 it says, “It’s better to have a partner than go it alone” (The Message).

Today’s verse comes from Ecclesiastes 4:7-10, where Solomon speaks of the advantages of companionship. He says, it's meaningless for a man to be alone, one who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then later asks himself, "Who or what am I working for. Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is meaningless and depressing. Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one fails, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

I’m reminded this morning that life is designed for companionship, not isolation, for intimacy and not loneliness. Some people prefer isolation, thinking they cannot trust anyone. However what I’m learning is that I am not here on earth to serve myself, but rather to serve God and others. So I shouldn't isolate myself or seek to always be alone. I should seek companions; to be a team player.

We were all created for community. We’re better together. We’re made for each other. And we need each other.

To make the most of my time, I must enlist a spiritual partner. Why? Because I cannot get control of my calendar on my own.

I can’t call everybody in my small group every week. But I can call one person who can help me keep my priorities in line and my schedule on track. This could be a Christian co-worker or someone in my small group or even a friend who doesn’t live in my city but is just a phone call away. Someone to talk to regularly. To check in on each other. To ask each other, “How are you doing with managing your time? How can I help you? How can I pray for you?” The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “It’s better to have a partner than go it alone” (The Message).

God wants to use me. I wasn’t put on this planet just to do what I want to do. I was put here to do what God created me to do. But the number one reason believers aren’t used by God is they’re too busy. I cannot be used by God effectively until I learn to manage my time.

That’s why the area’s I’ve look at the last few day are important. These areas were to: assume responsibility for my time, believe that God will help me, clarify what’s most important, don’t wait to begin, and lastly to enlist a spiritual partner. Together they will help me manage my time in a biblical way so that I can make time for God.

The Bible is filled with stories of deeply ordinary people that God used in extraordinary ways when they gave God their time. Moses had a speech impediment, but God still chose him to be his spokesman. Moses had even murdered someone, but God said, “I know all about your past. I have chosen to use you.”

God loves to use unexpected people. I know that God wants to use me, as well. But I’ve got to give him my time. And I’ve got to get some help from a spiritual partner who can help me remember my purpose and realize how managing my time helps me to accomplish it.

Bottom Line:

It’s better to have a partner than go it alone”

What this means to me:

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

In summary, there is advantages to companionship for two are better than one. They can help each other succeed and or reach out to help. I am not here on earth just for myself, but rather to serve God and others. When it comes to managing my time and my schedule, it's important for me to assume responsibility for my time, believe that God will help me, to clarify what's most important, to not wait to begin and to enlist an accountability partner.

I can honestly say that I do not have a spiritual or accountability partner who can help me. It would be helpful to have someone who understands business pressures and priorities, perhaps someone in a similar field of work. This morning Father I pray that you can bring someone into my life in which we can be accountability partners with each other. Someone I can trust in and that I in turn also would be willing to do anything to help. I also pray Father for your wisdom and guidance in my work, leading others and responding rightly to those around me. It is in your Son Jesus name that I pray, amen!