Be Real - By Using Your Time Wisely!
Today we are going to step away from 1 Samuel and consider how we can make the most of our time in quarantine. It is likely that you are currently taking classes online or working from home. Being quarantined to our homes affords us more free time than we are accustomed to. So far, we have been in quarantine just shy of three weeks and it seems likely that we have a few more weeks under the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. What does it look like to make the best use of our time?
Be Real – Am I using my time wisely?
Today our text is Proverbs 21:5 – “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” To develop a healthy perspective of time, we need to think of it as a precious currency. One that cannot be replenished once it has been spent. Money spent can always be replenished. We are able to go to the grocery store (or order groceries online) when we run out of food. There are many “currencies” that can be used and replenished but time is not one of them.
Though quarantine is an inconvenience, it certainly is supplying us with less restrictions on how we use our time. That said, the question I want you to consider is are you using your time wisely?
Context: The Proverb above makes a simple and clear statement: those who plan their time-use carefully will experience fruit. However, those who are not intentional and thoughtful on how their time can best be used, will be fruit-less.
Lesson: By no means do I desire to tell someone else how they should use their time during our quarantine, I simply want to encourage you to think through how you use your time. By investing our time wisely durring this time we can actually see productive results! The key to spending time wisely is the word plan. Do you have a plan or a budget for how you will use your time today? Tomorrow? And for the week ahead?
Application: Let’s take a proactive approach in the midst of our quarantines and invest our time wisely! Quarantine may not be our ideal and that is understandable. However, let’s take this time to plan what is most important, schedule what is most important, and review if what is most important is getting the time it needs.
Action Steps:
Plan what is most important:
Relationships: be intentional to invest in quality time with your families! Play board games together, enjoy having meals together, and seek to cultivate close relationships.
Mental Activity: be intentional to invest time in your schoolwork or read a book!
Physical Activity: be active! Head outside and enjoy going on a walk or a bike ride!
Walk with God: set aside time to read the Bible, journal thoughts, and time to pray.
Schedule what is important:
Open the calendar app in your phone and create “events” for the things that are most important. Feel free to schedule in time for video games, watching a family movie, or getting some reading in.
Review and adjust:
Take 5 minutes each night and review how today went. Then begin planning how you will use your time wisely the next day!
Be real by using your time wisely!