Using Your Time Wisely, Part 3
“Express your joy in singing among yourselves psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
making music in your hearts for the ears of God.”
Ephesians 5:19 (Ph)
This week, we’ve been discovering how to use our time more wisely by asking some simple questions. Each question aligns with a Biblical Principle for time management. Since your time represents your life, the first question was: Is this worth my life? This is the principle of priority. A second question to ask yourself is: Will this be a Divine opportunity or just a beautiful distraction? The Biblical principle here is discernment.
Let’s consider two more questions to ask if we are to use our time wisely.
3. Does it make me come alive or cause me to die a little each day? This is the principle of alignment. If I align what I do with my God-given passions and gifts, I can live a more focused life and experience the fulfillment God designed for me. It’s why today’s verse follows the previous verses we’ve been examining. When you put them all together, it makes sense. “Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God…. Express your joy in singing among yourselves psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making music in your hearts for the ears of God!” Ephesians 5:15-17; 19 (Ph)
Using my time wisely results in joy, not stress. The word for hearts in this passage refers to your internal motivations, passions, and desires. In other words, when I use my time on what I’m passionate about, it makes my heart sing! It makes me come alive! I’m aligned with God's will for my life.
4. Will it bring me closer to Christ or take me further from Christ? Nothing is of greater importance than our relationship with Jesus Christ! This is the principle of supreme significance – A Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ. While the world pursues success in life, God offers you and me significance in our relationship with Him! Material, social, and vocational success in life is temporary at best. How many have exchanged their lives for fleeting success, leaving them empty and craving something more? God offers you eternal significance!
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it a growing relationship, or has it become distant and stagnant, distracted by the things of this world? Are you just content to hear about God, or do you desire in your heart to hear from God? God designed you and me to live a life of significance and to experience Him in our daily lives. If you’ve never experienced Christ, do it today. He offers His life to you. The Bible says, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV) The miracle is available now! Wise people know that now is not only a good time; now is the only time. Receive Him today!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.