The day this blog is being written is a day I am struggling with time management. I have too many important projects started with important pending deadlines, including completing this blog. I hit a roadblock on an important task of setting up a new laptop (to be more time efficient) and have no idea how to install a critical piece of software. There are several strategic decisions being made in the next 24 hours and the coming week, which will greatly impact tasks related to the most important tasks I am currently working on.
I know by staying focused on a single task it gets done quicker, yet I find myself being distracted on less time intense tasks of much less importance.
This is reflective of knowing what to do, yet not applying the knowledge well in the moment of time one is living in.
It often requires a reset, by remembering: “This too will pass,” “Relationships are more important than tasks,” and perhaps “God is trying to get my attention on something more important.”
Pausing to throw a ball with the dog just now has given me clarity to return to work on this blog until it is time to leave for the meetings this afternoon and evening.
One of the most important anchors in my life right now is: do all you can, then “Leave the results to GOD.” I believe this is a key to a stress free life. It keeps me from trying to manipulate circumstances, helps me sleep well at night, and to work diligently on what is before me.
I am mindful and thankful for disciplines in my life (like draw near to God, get a good night’s sleep, exercise regularly, be a continual learner), which help me to maintain my health: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Time is an interesting characteristic of this world we live in. We can hold it tightly as most people do in the western world, or have a less structured embrace of time as people in Africa. Then consider: God lives outside of time.
When you are 8 years old, time has a different perspective than when you are 16, than when you are 30, than when you are 50, than when you are 75 for two reasons:
- Each day, week, month, and year is an increasingly smaller percentage of your time alive.
- The variety and number of experiences you have in life continues to increase.
Depending on the choices you made and the settings you have lived in, you could have a satisfying or frustrated state of mind. A positive or negative outlook on life. Depending on how you view time in context to your life history, you could be eagerly looking forward what is next on your “to do” list, preparing for eternity, or simply passing time with the least amount of drama and pain until the end comes.
However you view time, I encourage you to look for Divine Appointments in your life. Appointments for you to bless another, OR an opportunity for you to receive a blessing from God.
God is always with us, wanting what is best for us, whether we are paying attention or not.