When I was a kid, I had all the time in the world. I even had the audacity on a few occasions to utter those most cursed syllables that are now the bane of my existence. Namely the phrase, "I'm bored." Back then, I had an abundance of time, but very little money. In those days I was willing to trade what I had a lot of for what I had very little of. But the older I've gotten, the more I've noticed those two things have changed.
I'm not saying that I have more money than I know what to do with. And I'm certainly not rich at all by American standards (though compared to most of the world I'm filthy rich). But I am certainly much more keenly aware of the preciousness of time than I was as a child or youth. Now I'm willing to trade some money for time because the amount of time I have seems so finite. Where once I would do all I could to invest and parley my money to try to get an improved return, I now think in those terms with my time.
Every moment I spend now is an investment in a relationship. And since I have limited capital to invest, I need to be increasingly intentional about the investments I make. Is the time I'm spending with the people I meet with going to produce fruit? Is it beneficial for them? Will it help me grow personally? If it will do neither, can I justify the time I'm spending, or is it a prodigal expenditure I could do without?
There are many different kinds of benefits, so I'm not specifying the sort of productivity involved. There are many possible benefits from being alone or with other people. But I believe the time comes in our life when we have to ask ourselves whether we are being good stewards not only of our money, but of our time. Perhaps especially of our time! When we get to the other side, we're told the streets will be paved with gold, and we'll have an eternity to spend. But in the meantime, let's redeem the time, seize the day, and make the most of every opportunity. We don't have an infinite number of moments to work with before time is no more.
Welcome to Pete's Ponderings
Welcome to the results of my 2010 New Year's Non-Resolution. I'm going to try to blog every day of this year. I call it a non-resolution because its a decision, not a resolution and I want the blog to serve me, not the other way around. Hope you enjoy.
3 comments:
Ephesians 5:15-21 seems particularly appropriate for this post - I haven't given it any thought, but verse 16 came to mind as I read the post, so I thought I'd mention it.
Helpful to think about. Thank you.
Reading it again a few days later, the thought comes to mind that although we should consider carefully how we're spending our time, we shouldn't depend too heavily on American priorities.
Often Jesus would ditch a large crowd of eager listeners to have a private conversation. And one time he avoided the crowds to travel across the sea of Galilee simply to heal a demoniac before sailing back again. I don't know many headlining American Christians who would blow off a large speaking engagement to go spend time with a single needy individual.
Aside from that caution the basic point remains: Examine how you spend your time. "Make the most of every opportunity, for the days are evil," as Paul said.
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