"“He’s so heavenly minded he’s no earthly good.” You’ve probably heard that expression before. And I suppose there may be someone somewhere who that applies to. But how many people have you actually met that were too focused on the things of God and using too much of their time and energy preparing themselves and others for eternity?
Someone defined a “fanatic” as “a person who loves Jesus more than you do.” I think there’s some truth in that definition. Christians should have a whole different set of priorities for how we want to use time from what the world has. Jesus had very stern warnings in the Book of Revelation to those lukewarm professing Christians who were living just like the world around them.
Would any of your non-Christian friends consider you a fanatic? If not, consider becoming one. F-A-N-A-T-I-C. It stands for Friends And Neighbors All Together In Christ. They’re the ones who redeem the time.
"
"I saw a sign in someone’s home recently that read, “Man’s way leads to a hopeless end. God’s way leads to an endless hope.”
I thought that was a very concise way of contrasting God’s plans with our plans. It’s easy for us to create our own schedules to do the things we want to do. It’s another thing entirely when I begin my day by yielding the rights to my time this day to God.
We always think we know the best way to happiness and success. But the Bible says there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end of that way is the way of death.
Once we know God’s will, the choice is a simple one. God’s way or the wrong way. Remember, “Man’s way leads to a hopeless end. God’s way leads to an endless hope.” That’s why taking time to detect God’s plan, is really the only way to redeem the time.
"
"
Life is not a dress rehearsal. It’s the real thing. God gives us one opportunity to go through this life, so in spiritual matters we need to make sure we’re acting like it’s the real thing because it is.
But in other matters, it may be good time management to go through a dress rehearsal before the real thing. Here’s six examples from author Don Aslett:
1. If you buy a video camera make sure you know how to use it before the bride walks down the aisle.
2. See if everything fits in the suitcase before the airport shuttle arrives.
3. If you have spare keys made, try them out before you need them.
4. Try new recipes on your family before your important guests.
5. Taste it yourself before you serve it.
6. Don’t assume anything you’ve had in the shop to be fixed IS fixed until you try it out and see.
Remember, dress rehearsals can prevent problems and redeem the time.
"
"
There is only one way to Heaven. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” While that may not be politically correct in our day, it is still the truth.
With time management on the other hand, we can allow for some diversity of thought and technique. A good manager hires competent people and then gets out of the way to allow them to get the job done their way. God is very creative and the Bible says we are His workmanship. That means He has made us with a wide variety of gifts and talents which vary from person to person.
When we insist that everyone subscribe to our particular type of day-planner or our pet technique of organizing our desk, we create unnecessary friction that may breed resentment and stifle creativity.
In spiritual matters, pluralism deceives people and keeps them from Heaven. But with time management a little diversity may redeem the time.
"