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Monday, May 4, 2020

Time Shouldn’t Be Wasted, Use the Investment Test When Making a Decision

In review of Ephesians 5:15-17 I read, “So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise. Live wisely. I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish with your lives. But learn what the Lord wants you to do.” (ICB)

When Paul refers to evil times, he is referring to his sense of urgency because of evil's pervasiveness. I need the same sense of urgency because my days are also difficult. I must keep my standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever and wherever I can.

If I want to make the best use of my life, I’ve got to get control of my time. My time is my life. If I don’t learn to manage my time, I won’t go very far in life. So when I’m making a decision, I can use the Investment Test: Is this the best use of my time?

All of us have the same amount of time every week: 168 hours. Time is far more important in my life than money. I can get more money, but I can’t get more time. I’ve only been allotted a certain number of days in this world. If I blow them, I’ve blown it! If I waste time, I’m wasting my life.

I don’t have time for everything. And the good news is this: God doesn’t expect me to do everything. In fact, there are only a few things worth doing in the first place. An effective person will figure out what’s essential and what’s trivial. Then they’ll spend more time doing the essential things and less time on the trivial. While this sounds easy, it’s actually quite hard. It’s difficult to choose what’s best over what’s easiest.

I have to learn to choose not to do certain activities. Not because they are bad, but because I want to maximize my time. I want to choose what is the best. I really want to spend my life on the mission God has sent me here to fulfill.

I am here for a reason. I wasn’t put here just to drift. God made me for a mission. When I know what that mission is, I should start clearing out the clutter in life, so that I can spend my time on my mission.

If I’m unsure what my mission is? First, stop doing some of the trivial things that take up so much time. Then ask God what my mission is. With the trivial stuff cleared out, I’ll have more time to hear his answer.

I have a choice. Don’t settle for second best. Figure out what is God’s best and spend my life on it.

In summary, be very careful how I live. Live wisely and use every chance for doing good. Don't be foolish with my time, but learn what God wants me to do. There is a sense of urgency to this. I need to keep my standards high, act wisely and do good whenever possible. To help, I can use the investment test. Is this the best use of my time? Time is far more important than money. I can get more money, but I can't get more time. Once it's past, it's gone. So I need to figure out what is essential and what's trivial. Learn to choose what is best and spend my life on the mission that God has sent me here to fulfill. I have a choice, so figure out what is God's best and spend my life on it. 

Time is one of my most precious resources. Therefore it shouldn’t be wasted. To assist, I can use the investment test (is this the best use of my time) when making a decision. Father, I thank you for this reminder and I want to take to heart what you are telling me. I pray that through your Spirit that you help me with this throughout my day and my week. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.

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