"Fast, cheap, and quality. Those are the three things we look for when we need a new product or service. The problem is we can’t get all three.
We may get it fast and cheap but it won’t be quality. We can get it fast and quality, but that won’t be cheap. Or we can get it quality and cheap, but it won’t be fast.
One of the reasons we want to manage our time well is so we don’t get caught in the trap of needing things fast. If we’re not in a hurry, we can focus on the other two considerations and get quality merchandise at a good price. Let’s say you need a special item for the church retreat in 2 days. You might find a good one on the internet but now you have to pay express shipping on it. Not taking time to plan ahead cost you money.
But, following the Biblical pattern of planning ahead allows us to focus on getting quality things at a good price. That’s a great bonus for redeeming the time.
"
"A farmer’s son was heading to town with a crate of chickens when he dropped the crate and the chickens quickly scattered all over the neighborhood. Fearing the wrath of his father, the boy frantically scoured the area rounding up all the chickens he could find. When he got home the boy confessed to his father what happened but explained he had been able to recover all 12 chickens. “That’s OK son.” The father replied, “Since I only sent 7 chickens in with you.”
This was obviously a boy who knew how to immediately take action to deal with a problem. Even if he did overcorrect a bit the boy knew that he had a father who would hold him accountable for his actions.
As Christians, we also have a father who will hold us accountable for the way we use our time. Many people waste time by procrastinating and running from their problems. But addressing your problems head on instead of ignoring them is how you redeem the time.
"
"I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
""Oh excuse me please"" was my reply.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
""Move out of the way,"" I said with a frown.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
""Wake up, little one, wake up,"" I said.
""Are these the flowers you picked for me?""
He smiled, ""I found 'em, out by the tree.
I said, ""Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.""
He said, ""Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.""
That poem, from an unknown author, reminds us of what’s really redeeming the time.
"
"If you’ve ever gone hiking with a group of people, you know one of the worst things that can happen is to fall behind the group. That’s because when the group stops for their 15 minute break you’re just arriving when the group is ready to pack up and go again. So you have to either forfeit your break or continue to lag behind.
When we get behind on any project things go wrong. The letter that could have been sent for a few pennies, now costs several dollars to send overnight. People become irritated with you when you’re forced to ask for special accommodations due to your tardiness. You run the risk that there will be no more rooms or reservations available for you. You miss opportunities and have no room for mistakes.
Those are reasons why God compares a lazy person to a great waster. When tempted to procrastinate, remember, bringing up the rear is not the road to a happy life, neither is it redeeming the time.
"