What If You Won 2,207,520,000?
On January 13, 2016, three people learned they had the winning ticket in a record $1.5 billion Powerball lottery. They sure were lucky. However, I think each of us, the moment we are born, have the ability to potentially shatter that record.
Notice the title of this article is missing something---a dollar sign.
The average life span of a person is 70 years. Leaving out leap years, that equates to 2,207,520,000 seconds. Obviously, some people don’t live 70 years and others live much longer. But at the moment of conception each one of us has the potential of possessing something far more valuable than money---billions of seconds in time.
God awards us a set amount of time to serve him.
If you live a long life, you can be a big winner. But just as with those who win huge lotteries, the kind of winner you are is determined by what you do with your winnings, how you manage all those precious seconds, for your benefit only or for serving others as God leads you.
Manage and Maximizing You Time
When you manage your time, you are managing yourself, maximizing the gift of life God has given you. There are several key principles of time management. These include prioritizing your activities, planning your activities, and performing your activities at the times of the day when your life rhythms are at their maximum effectiveness.
God awards each of us a set amount of time. It’s a gift not to be squandered as unmanaged time. It’s important that we prioritize our activities and budget our time, counting the cost of performing activities. Equally important is counting the cost of not performing them.
Journal to Manage
Keeping a journal is an excellent way to see exactly how you manage your time and activities. It will help you make needed adjustments in your daily routines, establish new routines and stick to them, and identify people who are “time thieves.”
While serving others is important, learn to say “no” as the Lord leads you. The Bible has much to say about how we should prayerfully seek to discern God’s will.
Most importantly, as we plan how to use our time, doing God’s will should always be priority number one.
Listen to God's Words
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? (Luke 14:28)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Also read: Proverbs 16:9, James 4:1
In the Words of Others
“Your greatest resource is your time.” Brian Tracy
“Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you.” Carl Sandburg
“No one has more time than you have. It is the discipline and stewardship of your time that is important. The management of time is the management of self; therefore, if you manage time with God, he will begin to manage you.” Jill Briscoe
Think About It
How would you rate your current time management on a scale of 1-10? Describe why?
At what time of the day are you most productive? How will knowing this improve your productivity?
Describe how you prioritize what your activities will be for the day, for the week. Do you need to make changes?
Do you go before the Lord in prayer for guidance as you plan your time? Describe when and how you do this.
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