Time Management

In Psalm 90 Moses prayed that God would "establish the work of our hands" (v. 17). This old man had seen his entire generation wandering aimlessly in the desert. For forty years the Israelites had roamed, with no specific destination in sight. In view of that seemingly futile drifting, Moses had cried out to God for some assurance of significance. With that in mind, carefully read verse 12. Moses essentially said, "Unless we are gripped by life's brevity and place proper value on the time we have, no matter how long or short it is, we will never gain a wise heart."

We can employ the skills and principles of time management, buy a new calendar (even a high priced electronic one), employ a better scheduling system-all are of little benefit until we understand the value of time. Granted, we may do a better job of scheduling our time, but that doesn't mean we're doing a better job of spending that time. Knowing the difference defines wisdom!

According to Moses, the years of our lives "quickly pass" (v. 10). As we grow older, we look back and wonder where the time went. Each of us is allotted a finite number of days. Are we spending those days wandering aimlessly, with no goal, no purpose in sight? Or are we numbering those days and thereby gaining a heart of wisdom? "Lord teach us . . . "

Time Management and Who God Is

We are locked into time and space. Because of this, it is impossible for us to fully grasp what it would be like to be unhampered by temporal restraints. But we serve a God for whom all events are equally present. Turn to 2 Peter 3:8-9 for an extraordinary statement about God's relationship to time.

ECCLESIASTES 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

Time Management and Who I Am

Henry David Thoreau once observed: "As if we could kill time without injuring eternity." Time is our most precious resource, and Scripture assures us that our stewardship of the time we have been allotted is not something we should ignore. Turn to Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 to consider the important implications of this passage for time management.

Time Management and How It Works

All the literature and hype about time management! Really-just how important is it to use our time wisely? What's at stake? Notice carefully the advice given to the Ephesian Christians in Ephesians 5:15-17 about what it means to walk as a wise person.

Time Management and What I Do

David accomplished great things during the course of his life. And so can we. Turn to Psalm 39:4-5 for further insight.

Psalm 90:12

New International Version (NIV)
¹² Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.