Some things happen in life that tend to pull us out of our ‘auto-pilot’ mode and force us to step back, take inventory, and reflect on what matters most. It could be a job loss, breakup, health scare, or a loss of a loved one. All these things cause us to pause or ‘wake up’ and reflect on how we spend our time and what we prioritize. Moments like these bring a perspective shift, asking ourselves the tough questions and having those hard conversations internally and with others.
One question I have been asking myself lately is, am I being intentional with the time that I have? Am I using it wisely, proactively, and in a way that serves God and others?
Our schedules are so busy. Between work, having a family, making time with friends, and all the other extracurricular activities, there are days when it feels like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. The days, weeks, and months start to fly by, and all of a sudden, I find myself in the middle of summer, wondering where half of the year went.
Instead of asking myself where the time went, I need to focus on what I should be investing my time in. Do I fill it with mindless things, or do I take advantage of it and manage it in a balanced and intentional way? Easier said than done, right?
How can we make the most of our time?
I think the first thing we must do is prioritize. What matters most in your life? It could be your faith, family, work, friendships, exercise, or whatever else matters most to you. I believe that when we focus on those things that are most important to us and make them our priorities, we feel less guilt about spending less time concentrating on things that are not as important.
Once we have our priorities straight, we must create margin in our lives. We tend to overload ourselves with tasks, appointments, and lists, but what if we carved out just 30 minutes to read scripture or pray? Be proactive and intentional about making space and time in your day to be creative, sit in silence, or just rest. The more we take time to rest and restore our spiritual and emotional battery, the less likely we will burn out.
Another way to use our time wisely is by creating a balance. As a mom, I feel this sense of pressure to maximize every minute I am at home with my son and be there for every second. This past year, I committed to making exercise more of a priority in my life, so a few nights a week, I sneak out early, my husband takes care of the full bedtime routine, and I go to the gym. It is a way for me to have that time for myself where I can clear my head. Finding that balance took time, and I had to battle against that guilt I put on myself for not being there, but it allowed them to spend that one-on-one time together and for me to do something that gives me energy and blows off steam.
Our days here are a gift from the Lord, so let’s not waste it. Are we using our time in a way that serves the Lord and serves others? Time can be strange. It moves fast but crawls by. We work under a crunch, and sometimes it feels as if the clock hasn’t moved. But what we do with our time here on this earth is important. Don’t waste it. How can you make the most of yours?
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
– Ephesians 5:15-17
