"In the Bible, the Apostle Paul compares the Christian life to running a race. They are similar in that both require a great deal of self discipline for success. But he also contrasts the two by pointing out that in an earthly race only one person can be the winner. It’s God’s will however for every Christian to win his race, because he’s not competing against other people, but against himself and the forces of spiritual darkness which oppose him.
There is another difference also between these two races. The Olympic runner knows where the finish line is. But in most cases, you and I don’t know when the finish line of life is approaching until we’ve already crossed it. That’s why we have to spend time every day pressing forward.
One more difference is that while an Olympic runner is intensely focused on winning, many Christians don’t even realize they’re in a race. But a focus on winning your race can generate dynamic energy for redeeming the time.
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"Sometimes the simplest ideas and quotes are the best ones. For example, I’m always looking for new quotes about motivation and goal setting. I just came across one that said, “The most important thing about goals is having one.”
It doesn’t get much simpler than that. But that quote connected with me because taking time to set goals is one of the first steps to getting control of your time and your life. Most people have heard that many times during their life time. Yet the fact remains that most people, including most Christians, do not actively work from a set of goals each day. Instead they do what feels good or what is most convenient at the moment.
How about you? You know you are supposed to set goals. But have you done it? Do you have lifetime goals, yearly goals, monthly or even weekly goals? Remember, the most important thing about goals is having one. Until you do, you’re not ready to redeem the time.
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"“Don’t take it personally.” You’ve probably given or been given that advice many times. And it’s good advice in some situations. But when it comes to arranging your workspace, just the opposite is true.
Most of us spend a great deal of our prime time at work. It’s also a place where some of us need help staying motivated to make the best use of that time. One way to do that is by making your workplace personal, with family pictures, favorite motivational quotes or Scripture verses to keep you focused, and colors or themes to make it feel like your own space.
In addition to keeping you motivated, personalizing your workplace can give you an opportunity to share the Gospel. My first full time job was teaching in a government school. Even though some didn’t like it, I put a poster of Jesus beside my desk.
By personalizing your workspace, you’ll not only stay motivated and inspired, but you can also give a clear Christian testimony and redeem the time.
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"Have you ever wondered how everyone agreed on what it should be? It goes back to the 1800’s. Before there was a method of instant communication, each town would set its own time by the city clock. The result was that one town might vary by several minutes from a neighboring town. This problem was solved however when railroads began to connect villages and set a standard time for their departures which everyone eventually subscribed to.
The railroads demonstrated for us the value of everyone relying on the same schedule. And that’s a principle that still holds true today for families that want to function smoothly. While every individual needs their own day planner, there should also be one family calendar, in a central place, such as the refrigerator, where events affecting the whole family are recorded.
When special church programs such as concerts, revivals, or “Redeeming the Time” seminars are scheduled everyone should know about it.
Remember, having one family calendar gets everyone on the same page and redeems the time.
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