How do I spend time well?
Is time speeding up? There are times I look at the clock and think, “That cannot be the right time!” It seems like the days, months, and years are all going by faster than before. It is why I have been trying to intentionally slow down—eat a bit more mindfully, walk at a reduced pace, listen to others with more focus. It is also one of the reasons I like kayaking so much. When I am on the water, I am away from the crazy frenzy of the world. A little steady exertion in paddling can also produce big results in no time. The boat glides forward smoothly, and soon I can just float peacefully along the glistening lake—well, most of the time. I once went kayaking with my husband around Tillicum Beach, near Camrose, in 40 km/h winds. We paddled for thirty minutes just trying to get away from the dock, battling some serious waves and getting absolutely nowhere. There was nothing left to do but throw in the towel and paddle for shore. Sometimes in life, the things we are doing are just not worth the time, especially when the minutes and hours already slip away so quickly.
No matter how rapidly time seems to pass, nothing really slows down until I get still and listen for God’s voice. Reflecting more about time has caused me to ponder how best to not waste time and what the Lord has to say about it. His Word states, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,” (Ephesians 5:15-16) and “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Our time on earth is limited, and it’s beyond easy to lose focus. Distractions are everywhere. I can often miss the opportunities God has for me by consuming excessive media and listening to lies, comparing myself to others, putting too much energy into my outward appearance, and complaining about my circumstances. None of these things help me to live well. The Lord always wants us to give all our burdens to him, but I have become more aware recently of how, without even noticing, we can start to give all our attention to day-to-day pursuits that have no eternal value.
I love that when God convicts me of anything it is in a gentle voice that reassures me His way is better as He declares, “… my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Desiring to spend time in a way that pleases God has led our family to physically write out what we will start to give far more time to: How will we serve others? What are we doing that contributes to building God’s kingdom? In what ways are we loving God, putting Him first, and resting in Him? We are also led to write down what we will start to give far less time to or what we will not waste time on. I think these things can look different for everyone as we are all at different places in life, and the Lord can use anything and anyone. What’s wonderful is, if we ask, the Holy Spirit leads us into what pleases Him as Philippians 2:13 says, “… for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”
Letting the Lord have our schedule brings a greater amount of joy and true rest than sorting it out on our own will. I am so grateful that salvation is a free gift, but I can forget that we were created by God to bring glory and attention to Him. We are called to use our lives to point to Him and all his goodness.
I know that distractions and deceptions will always abound in this world. It is not easy to live according to Christ’s way when the world’s way can often look better or seem much easier. The grace of God, however, “… teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-14). If our eyes are continually fixed on Jesus, surrendering our days to Him, He slowly changes our priorities and gives us peace regardless of what time it is.