As a Christian, my response to the grace of God matters - a lot! This post is the third of a series of posts about the home. The big question of this series: How are we honoring God in our homes? We are exploring what the Bible says along with practical application.
A Christian home has a plan, submits to clear authority,
and runs a disciplined race with an eternal focus.
For the above statement to be a reality, we have to realize the obstacles that stand in our way. As an affluent culture, we pack many things into our schedule. We work hard raising families, providing for our needs and wants through our careers, and do what we can to make a difference when we can. But, we are also prone to waste time on things that don't really matter.
I've learned (and am still learning) the importance of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church where he encourages them to make "the best use of time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). Even Christians who are in love with Jesus and His Church waste time. We often lack discipline and fall prey to the wants of our bodies.
Our body longs for the temporary, but God wants to
use our body as an instrument for the eternal.
What would it look like if we prioritized our time based on eternal goals instead of temporary ones?
As a Christian, my day would be far more purposeful if I constantly:
1. Committed every day to the Lord.
2. Intentionally invested in a person's soul.
3. Prayed without ceasing while following the lead of the Holy Spirit.
4. Knew that wasting time would always be a temptation.
Furthermore, what would happen if I consistently prioritized:
1. Loving God (Matthew 22:38)
a. Praying - admitting my need for full dependance on Christ with ongoing gratitude
b. Reading the Bible - studying the depth of grace and truth as revealed from God
c. Growing in trust and obedience knowing that faith is marked by these two attributes
2. Loving Others (John 13:34-35)
a. Serving others in such a way that shows selflessness and sacrifice
b. Encouraging others by speaking the truth in love and building the church community
c. Teaching others about God, His Word, and His redemptive plan
* The time leftover can be used to enjoy all the blessings God has given me (1 Timothy 6:17).
The secret is found in understanding, "Today is the day the Lord has made..." (Psalm 118:24). Since He created this day, it's His - for His purposes. His plan involves us. Think of the possibilities!
Additional Resources:
Biblical Counseling Keys on Time Management
Hooked App - designed to track phone/tablet addiction
Edwards: A God-centered view of Time Management
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