Time Wasters

 

The first step is a critical appraisal of how one spends one's time (Psa 90:12) and to question some of our habits. In one's time log, identify periods of time which might have been better used.

 

There are various sources of waste. The most common are social: telephone calls, short message service, friends dropping by casually, excessive sleep, conversations with others, TV, video games, use of computer for games and chatrooms, dreaming or just aimless loafing. Look to the ant as our example, a tiny creature but an industrious and judicious one as well (Prov 6:6-11). The pig on the other hand is the negative example. It must be a conscious and deliberate effort to stop these aimless activities and choose rather to do things that have a more definite purpose and of lasting value.

 

Another common source of waste stems from delaying work which is unpleasant by finding distractions which are less important or unproductive. Check your day or week log to see if there are any tasks that are being delayed simply because they are dull or difficult.

 

Procrastination is a major stumbling block to good usage of time. Beware of delays that rob us of previous time and prevent us from getting the work done on time.

 

There are two major causes of procrastination. The first major category is Avoidance. We procrastinate to avoid overwhelming tasks, difficult tasks, and unpleasant tasks and to avoid change. The second category is Fear and Anxiety. We procrastinate because of our fear of failure, fear of success, fear of criticism, fear of making mistakes and fear of rejection.

 

Some students are infamous for delaying and hence submitting their assignments late (or never at all). Be disciplined and keep consistent work done throughout the semester.

 

If we keep in mind that procrastination is only a habit, and habits can be changed, we can find some hope for changing how we respond to different situations by God's grace and enablement (Phil 4:19) and change our habits for the better.

 

Conclusion

 

There will be spiritual concerns for the believer particularly with regard to the work of the Lord in the church and the spiritual well being of family and friends. Long-term objectives have the characteristics of being important but not urgent; they may not have deadlines, they are distant and remote. For this reason, it is easy to ignore them in favour of the urgent and immediate. Clearly a balance must be struck and a certain weightage given to them. Begin well and, have the endurance and stamina to also complete it (Heb 12:1,2). Spending quality time with your spouse or loved ones is equally important.

 

A balanced use of time for all commitments self-imposed through the use of the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or diary is helpful. For example, a Christian might decide that one hour a week should be devoted to personal or church issues and would then allocate a regular block of time to spiritual or secular activity (i.e. family worship or a prayer meeting or leisure time with children).

 

Use godly prudence and spiritual wisdom (Prov 9:10, Jas 1:5) to augment one's own spiritual life, work and family commitments. It may mean the need to take some quiet weekend, to pray and seek the Lord first and plan judiciously in advance.

 

Exercise

 

We have one final summary exercise. It is a test. There are only 25 questions; that means you would grade each question with a weight of 4 on a scale of 100. Hope that you will find the checklist useful.

• Do I neglect God and the advice of godly man?
• Do I allow my decisions to be influenced by pressure from peers?
• Do I exercise discernment, or do I sense the direction of the prevailing winds and go in that direction?
• Have I concentrated on discovering, developing and deploying the gifts of others?
• Do I tend to shirk responsibility whenever possible?
• Do I run or compromise when the going gets tough?
• Am I complacent? Discouraged? Weary from well-doing?
• Do I have a desire for self-glory?
• Do I love Gods' people? If not, what am I doing to cultivate that love?
• Do I know the problems and the needs among the Christians? Do I know what to do about these? Am I doing something?
• Is there adequate communication in the family? Do I know? If not, what does that indicate?
• Is my time properly organised? By priorities? By whom?
• Is my life a vital example to my friends and colleagues?
• Do I know how to reach out to others?
• Am I using/misusing/not using the gifts that Christ gave to me? Do I set goals and plan my work to meet them?
• Am I trapped by formality, custom and tradition?
• Am I personally growing in my relationship to God?
• Do I faithfully work at ordering my life?
• Do I believe in doing work for the glory of God?
• How do I need to improve my knowledge and skills?
• Am I lacking in prayer and zeal for the gospel outreach?
• How many hours per month do I spend in church work?
• What do I do when I run into problems with other Christians?
• How do I encourage the spiritual growth in others?

 

Maybe it is time for a reality check and an audit of our lives. Let us order it aright for God, walking wisely, redeeming the time for the days are evil.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Good Time Management is more than a systematic application of common sense strategies. It requires spiritual discipline, God honouring directions and human responsibility. It helps us to understand the importance of the use of time in the right perspective and it leads to effective employment of time by focusing on the right things to do. It reveals our priorities and other practical concerns in the life of the believers. It enables us to be responsible and take control of precious limited time that God has given to us. Use it wisely for the Lord. Remember we cannot kill time without injuring eternity.

 

By Rev Jack Sin

Sovereign Hope BPC Church, Singapore

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