Lot's of Time

Just thought I would tell all of you, You are not too busy. All of us have more time then we realize. We have more free time today then any other generation. We have brains that are underused. On top of this I need to tell you that we are built to be multitaskers. In all the leadership books and recordings, they talk about using time well. When on a plane have work to do, or books to read. While driving, forget about music, listen to prerecorded cd’s that talk about your job or occupation, or listen - ready - to a sermon.
I really started thinking about this the other day. I guess I didn’t have enough to do myself. Where can I get an extra ½ hour in my day? Where do we find the time to get done all the things we need to get done? The self help books (maybe I have been spending too much time reading) tell us many ways to accomplish this, and most of them work. One book tells us to make a list and only completely finish the top ten items each day. Another well-meaning writer tells us that it is not how much of the ten you get done, but how you fill the time. Then another writer comes up with the idea of mapping out your day. He didn’t mention that making out the schedule robs you of that precious time we are trying to create.
We know where our time goes. It goes into thin air when we trivialize our lives. We do too many things that mean nothing and create nothing in our lives. Case in point, reality tv. Back in the good old days, our day wound down with entertaining tv. We watched the Red Skeleton Show, laughed with Laugh In and who would ever miss, Ed Sullivan? Today we watch people doing unreal things in unreal situations. And we have the distinct pleasure of watching crime shows that show us how crimes are committed and then change channels so we can learn how the case was won in court. When was the last time you could use that information in your life?
So, getting back to the original thought, where does the time go. I believe our times goes because we live in a society that is built on being busy. If we are not doing something, we are wasting our time. This is so wrong. When I lived in Saskatchewan, I learned all about trivialities. They didn’t use the radio in the back ground to keep them company. They listened for five minutes a day at lunch, just enough time to catch the grain report. You see, we fill our days to dispel our loneliness. We crowd our lives with the trivial, the inane, the mindless drivel that fills the gap that would normally be categorized as loneliness. And so, we are still lonely in a crowd.
We also think we have to accomplish something each day. We grade ourselves on what we accomplish. I even remember church asking us, What have we done for God today? God only gives you so much time on earth to accomplish His will, don’t waste time. Too many pastors have burned themselves out trying to live up to this ideal.
So, where is that extra time? That time is in all those minutes that are filled with STUFF. Take away the stuff and you have time for what is really important. Spend time with people and we need to have time for God. One verse comes to mind; “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice this is not about things and stuff but about getting to know Him. Spend a few meaningful minutes with God each day will lead to He spending time with you all day.
Have a great day.
Rob