This is just too good a video to pass up… I had to break my blogging silence (sorry) with this (you’re welcome).

It’s worth all the 270 seconds (4min. 30 sec.).

Thoughts?

The subject of “time management” is an important one if we are going to truly “leverage our lives for the glory of God”.

The title of this post is a little misleading…is it really “your” time?  For Christians, our lives are not our own, we’ve been bought with a price.  Our entire lives, everything we are and everything we do and everything we have is a matter of stewardship.  Management. The question is not if we manage, but how we manage.  Wisely?  Or foolishly?

How do we know if we’re managing our time effectively?  How do we know if we are wasting our time or living foolishly?  Let us be clear, Scripture is not silent on this subject.  Do we view procrastination, wasting time, laziness, foolishness in this area of our lives as a SIN issue?  An area we need to work at in order to grow in grace?  (Sounds paradoxical doesn’t it…)

I can remember right around the end of my high school days that I began realizing the need for a serious and disciplined approach to managing my time.  That’s when I began to use a planner.  Of course I managed my time before then…or I should say mismanaged my time.  I was a 4th quarter performer.  Procrastinate, crunch time, produce a ton in a flurry, get high marks (and a rush), crash…repeat.

For the record:  That’s not good.  It not only reflects immaturity, but at its core, it is sinful.

And sometimes I wonder - Have I grown up?  Have I grown in grace in this area?

I can honestly say that in ways, I believe I have…but there is much…MUCH…room for improvement.  And without a doubt there always will be.  I’m committed to learning, examining, evaluating, applying and accomplishing more in this area of my life.  And it starts with repentance and then requires effort and accountability.

As we begin to get serious about managing time well, our lives begin reflecting more wisdom.  This is why Psalm 90:12 says “So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

So, I’m curious, how do you manage your time?  Do you have a “system” you use?  What do you use to keep track of appointments/schedule (iphone, blackberry, planner, sticky notes, nothing)?

Aside from sleep and work or school, what do you do with the other 1/3 of your life?  How do you decide what to do?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.  This is a crucial area for all of us, but youth in particular.

This is a quick check…  If you’re reading this post, please take 30 seconds to leave a comment. (for fun!)

Just give your NAME, AGE, and HOMETOWN.

Sample:

Adam, 31, Wenatchee (formerly Pateros, WA).

It’s that easy.

I’ve got to give a shout out to all the Quincy folks…make some noice all ye Jack Rabbits!  It’s OK, I was a Billygoat…but only I can poke fun at that.  They are actually a powerful and majestic animal. 

I couldn’t pass up this great quote from Francis Schaeffer…passed on by Justin Taylor…

Francis Schaeffer, from his essay “The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way”:

Often men have acted as though one has to choose between reformation and revival. Some call for reformation, others for revival, and they tend to look at each other with suspicion. But reformation and revival do not stand in contrast to one another; in fact, both words are related to the concept of restoration. Reformation speaks of a restoration to pure doctrine, revival of a restoration in the Christian’s life. Reformation speaks of a return to the teachings of Scripture, revival of a life brought into proper relationship to the Holy Spirit. The great moments in church history have come when these two restorations have occurred simultaneously. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation, and reformation is incomplete without revival. May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival, so that this poor dark world in which we live may have an exhibition of a portion of the church returned to both pure doctrine and a Spirit-filled life.

From No Little People, p. 74; emphasis Justin Taylor.

“Spiritual pride is very apt to suspect others, but a humble saint is most jealous of himself. He is as suspicious of nothing in the world as he is of his own heart. The spiritually proud person is apt to find fault with other saints . . . and to be quick to notice their deficiencies. But the eminently humble Christian has so much to do at home, and sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts. . . . Pure Christian humility disposes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, and to make the most of it, and to diminish their failings, but to give his eye chiefly on those things that are bad in himself.”

Jonathan Edwards, “Thoughts on the Revival,” in Works, I:399-400.

[HT: Ray Ortlund]