"Levers are amazing things. Laws of physics tell us that levers multiply our energy by allowing us to move objects much larger than we could by hand. It has been theorized that if you have a large enough lever you could move the whole world.
This principle of leverage extends to other areas as well. Real estate investors, for example, often buy property with small down payments so that their $10,000 investment gives them control of a $100,000 property. The principle is one of using what you have to its greatest possible influence.
Leverage is also an important principle in time management. Jesus demonstrated leverage when He sent out the disciples to bring the Gospel to a wider audience than He would have had time to do Himself. His effectiveness was multiplied and today the Gospel is preached worldwide.
As you consider your day, think of ways you can leverage your time through better planning, using the right tools, or getting the right help so you’ll redeem the time.
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"A bumper sticker read, “All I want is less to do, more time to do it, and higher pay for not getting it done.”
While most of us wouldn’t say it quite so bluntly as that bumper sticker, I’m afraid that is all too often the attitude of many employees in our culture today. Yet, compared to previous generations, we already have less work, more time to do it, and are getting paid more for not getting it done. The problem is our attitude.
Instead of developing a servant’s heart toward our work, like Jesus commanded us to do, the modern mindset is, “How can I get more money for less work?” The result is we often frustrate our employer and end up getting even less.
I like the way motivational speaker Zig Ziglar puts it. He says, “You can get everything you want in life, if you’re just willing to help enough other people get what they want.” That’s Biblically sound advice for those willing to redeem the time.
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"Fred was asked what he wanted the last words at his funeral to be. He carefully thought through the question and responded, “Wait! Hold everything! Look, he's moving!”
At least Fred was an optimist. Unfortunately he wasn’t a realist. Many of us are just like Fred. We don’t think very realistically about the end of life. More often than not, we tend to think we have more time to accomplish the things we want to do in life than what we really have.
One of the devil’s favorite tactics is to convince people that there will be a better time, just a little further down the road, when their situation will change, and that’s when they’ll really take hold; that’s when they’ll really start serving God with their whole heart.
But meanwhile, “Life” is what’s passing us by while we’re waiting on life to begin. Satan’s favorite word is “tomorrow.” But the Bible says now is the time to start serving God with your whole heart and redeeming the time.
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"Has God given you a dream that’s not come to pass? If so, consider Joseph.
God gave him a vision of doing great things for the Lord. But instead, he was sold into slavery, taken to a foreign land, and made a prisoner. No doubt he was tempted to abandon the vision at that point. But he kept the vision and the vision kept him.
John Maxwell supposes that if Joseph could speak to us today he might advise, “Dreams are conceived long before they are achieved. The period of time between the birth of a dream and its realization is always a process. This period is filled with doubts, adversity, changes, and surprises. During the process you will experience good days and bad days. And frequently you will be faced with the dilemma: Do you give up or go on? Without hesitation I can give you the answer: Don’t give up on your dream.”
Next time your dreams are challenged, remember Joseph as an example of redeeming the time.
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