Many people today do not realize the value of time. Many tend to waste time on frivolous activities that has little or no relevance to their purpose of existence. As Christians, we’re to always use our time positively, purposefully and meaningfully at any stage of life, knowing that we shall one give an account before God.
There’s a famous proverb that goes thus, “Time and tide waits for no one”. No doubt, we live in a rocket-paced and distracted world today. And it has become quite easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of many distractions and lose sight of God’s plan for our lives. However, we must never forget that time is a precious gift from God, and it is our responsibility to use it wisely and purposefully.
God is in the business of making us fruitful on earth by helping us align our actions with His plans and purposes for our lives. Whereas the devil is in the business of deceiving and distracting many today with all sorts of passions, lusts, sufferings and evil that makes them unfruitful purposefully unto God.
You see, for believers the devil knows he can’t successfully lead out of Christ, he deceives, distracts and afflicts them so they can live short of God’s best and purpose for their lives. That’s why believers must always seek to constantly grow in the revelation of God’s word, knowing who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ and our authority as believers in Christ Jesus. And for the lost who are within the devil’s grasps because they aren’t in Christ, the deviltries to keep leading them on to destruction either by afflicting them or by enticing them. But we must always rise up to seek and save the lost by the preaching of God’s word.
Ephesians 5:15-17 says “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is”.
The way to judiciously use our time to be fruitful unto God is by living with the consciousness of our God-given purpose and a burning passion to do God’s will.
Jesus said in John 4:34 NIV “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. This ought to be our driving force and passion to properly spend our time on earth.
God is working in every Believer in Christ Jesus to make us holy and to be like Jesus Christ. And a result of this, only Christians are able to do good fruitful works that glorifies Jesus Christ and amounts to a fulfilled life.
Jesus said in John 15:5-6 “I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
As long as you abide in a lifestyle of intimacy with God, and you obediently follow and trust Him, you’ll live a fruitful and fulfilling life. But without being watchful, intentional and purposeful in how you prioritize the way you spend your time, you’re most likely to drift into unwise living and miss living out God’s perfect will for your life.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result ofworks, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works . . . Ephesians2:8-10a (NASB).
Think about this… What does Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior think about how you spend your time?
There’s an appointed time for each and everyone of us to spend on earth, and we only have that limited time to spend on achieving God’s plan for our lives. After which, we then appear individually before God to give an account of how we have spent the time, gifts, resources and all the opportunities he gave us.
Think about this again… Does the way you spend your time fulfill His will for your life in one way or the other? If no, then I think you need to quickly reconsider how to better honor Jesus Christ in the way you spend your time and in your life’s choices. Because at the end of your days on earth, the only thing that’ll matter is whether or not you’ve lived according to God’s plan for your life.
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” Colossians 3:5-6.
Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”
Here are few helpful ways to discover and focus on God’s purpose for your life:
1. Spend time in prayer, reading, studying and meditating on God’s word. Seeking His will and wisdom for your life. Always surrender your plans and desires to Him and allow Him to shape your path. Remember, God’s plan is always greater than your own.
2. Prioritize Your Spiritual Growth: let God’s word guide your thoughts, words, actions, and decisions in every department of your life.
3. Take time to determine and develop your gifts, talents and areas strengths. Reflect on how you can always use your gifts and resources to serve God and others in ways that brings glory to God.
4. Set Godly Goals: learn to align your goals with God’s plan for your life. Seek His will and guidance in setting goals that honor Him and contribute to the advancement God’s kingdom. Also remember to be flexible and open to God’s direction and redirection as you set these goals and Trust in His timing.
5. Do away with time-wasting activities:
Evaluate how you spend your time and identify activities that hinder your spiritual growth and distract you from God’s plan for your life. And then substitute these time-wasting activities with pursuits that aligns with God’s purpose for your life.
6. Surround Yourself with Faith-filled and Positive Thinking Believers: Identify and roll with a friends or a community of believers who will encourage and challenge you to keep growing up spiritually and to live out God’s plan for your life.
And finally, always remember that God’s plan unfolds in stages and in His perfect timing. Therefore, It is essential for you to stay filled with the Spirit, be led by the Spirit always and constantly trust His timing, even when it doesn’t align with your own expectations. Don’t let the busyness in the affairs and responsibilities of life keep you away from following God’s plan for your life. Wisdom, Faith, Love, Patience and Perseverance are key virtues in this journey. You can stop wasting time and start running with God’s plan for your life today!
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:32.
Shalom!
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