Good morning world!
(Ok, well it may not be good morning to everyone, but its morning here)It’s Tuesday and time to get at time to get to our devotionals.
And I have changed our objectives a bit. Instead of cramming four devotionals in one, we are going to just double time until we are caught up—I want this to be applicable and not just an informative overload (see I am planning!). Thus, today’s objectives: Day 20-21.
Day 20 and 21: Time and the Importance of a plan.
Yes, we all feel as if we don’t have enough time in the day. I find myself saying it out loud all the time! But has is ever occurred to you that the reason you might feel you don’t have enough time in the day is that you may not plan your time wisely?
“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12
I will be honest: until two weeks ago, I really never realized the importance of giving my day a realistic game plan. Not planning things well and putting a realistic spin in how I would go about accomplishing my goals, I would get to the end of the day and think ‘Where did my day go?’.
‘Those who make the worst of their time most complain about its shortness.”—La Bruyere
We are commanded to use it wisely (yes, using our time wisely is a command: Ephesians 5:15-15). God did not make a mistake when he created time.
“God has given you… sufficient time in each day for you to fulfill His perfect plan-including the interruptions.”—Chuck Swindoll
He did indeed create enough time for you and I to do what we have been called to here on the earth, even with the interruptions. It’s all about managing it well.
“Like a budget for money you need a budget for time.”—George MacDonald
That brings us to Day 21—the importance of a plan.
Ants are great at planning ahead! I struggle to plan for the future, but am very good to plan for the next day. Even though we need to start here, looking at the bigger picture really makes a difference as well. Designed with endurance equals a greater chance of long term success.
“Living wisely considers the unforeseen obstacles and prepares for them in advance.”—Darlene Schacht.
So let’s look back at these two chapters for application:
1. Appraise your time: If you don’t manage your time well, try doing an exercise of writing out all the hours of your day and keeping a log of what you actually do then. Be specific! Once you figure out what your day actually goes to, you can pull the weeds of wastefulness out of it and work towards being more productive, planning a wiser time schedule.
2. Envision the goal: For example, if you want to have a ‘Martha house’ by the end of the month, you will need to determine what that finished work will look like.
3. Formulate a plan: This will allow you to break one big task into smaller ones, while at the same time, keeping you on schedule. It will also help you to determine the cost of the task before you commit.
4. Do the necessary work: The important things in life (like family and faith) deserve our attention. Make sure your goals don’t cause you to neglect the eternal souls in your care.
Well, as the picture shows, I am formulating today's plan and giving it a whirl ;) My prayers go out to you who are also trying to follow the will of God and make the best use of your time. Blessings!!
Yes, we all feel as if we don’t have enough time in the day. I find myself saying it out loud all the time! But has is ever occurred to you that the reason you might feel you don’t have enough time in the day is that you may not plan your time wisely?
“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12
I will be honest: until two weeks ago, I really never realized the importance of giving my day a realistic game plan. Not planning things well and putting a realistic spin in how I would go about accomplishing my goals, I would get to the end of the day and think ‘Where did my day go?’.
‘Those who make the worst of their time most complain about its shortness.”—La Bruyere
We are commanded to use it wisely (yes, using our time wisely is a command: Ephesians 5:15-15). God did not make a mistake when he created time.
“God has given you… sufficient time in each day for you to fulfill His perfect plan-including the interruptions.”—Chuck Swindoll
He did indeed create enough time for you and I to do what we have been called to here on the earth, even with the interruptions. It’s all about managing it well.
“Like a budget for money you need a budget for time.”—George MacDonald
That brings us to Day 21—the importance of a plan.
“6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
7Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
8she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.” --Proverbs 6:6-8
Ants are great at planning ahead! I struggle to plan for the future, but am very good to plan for the next day. Even though we need to start here, looking at the bigger picture really makes a difference as well. Designed with endurance equals a greater chance of long term success.
“Living wisely considers the unforeseen obstacles and prepares for them in advance.”—Darlene Schacht.
So let’s look back at these two chapters for application:
1. Appraise your time: If you don’t manage your time well, try doing an exercise of writing out all the hours of your day and keeping a log of what you actually do then. Be specific! Once you figure out what your day actually goes to, you can pull the weeds of wastefulness out of it and work towards being more productive, planning a wiser time schedule.
2. Envision the goal: For example, if you want to have a ‘Martha house’ by the end of the month, you will need to determine what that finished work will look like.
3. Formulate a plan: This will allow you to break one big task into smaller ones, while at the same time, keeping you on schedule. It will also help you to determine the cost of the task before you commit.
4. Do the necessary work: The important things in life (like family and faith) deserve our attention. Make sure your goals don’t cause you to neglect the eternal souls in your care.
Well, as the picture shows, I am formulating today's plan and giving it a whirl ;) My prayers go out to you who are also trying to follow the will of God and make the best use of your time. Blessings!!