When I Refuse to Give the Lord Control Over My Time and Priorities

"We don’t expect to be able to buy anything we want, because we know there is a limit to our money. But somehow we live as if time knew no bounds, when in fact time is much more limited than money. Wealth can be created, but no one has the ability to grow more time." (Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy)

I waste time. Do you? This post is a glance into my own heart and the realization that I don't "Redeem the time" in a way that glorifies God. Like most Millennials, I've bought into the lie that I can manage the high demand of social media, enjoy an active social life with my friends, keep up a busy schedule and devote time to ministry projects. Deceptively, I believed I could manage my life in this fashion but recently God revealed the blunt truth:

"It's time to grow up" 

The moment has come for me to set aside the toys and noise of this world and learn the value of time, relationships and ministry. Ironically, I've been studying the book of 2 Timothy in my quiet time. This book was a practical letter on leadership from Timothy's mentor, Paul the Apostle.  "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army."

Are You Entangled?

Paul cautions Timothy to not become entangled with the affairs of this life. Just as the soldier makes great sacrifice to serve in the army or  a runner is careful to follow the rules in a race, you and I are called to consider this same caution (see 2 Timothy 2).

In all honest, I am not a faithful soldier in the Lord's army nor am I following the guidelines for running the Christian race. Why? Because I have refused to give the Lord full control over my time and priorities. My heart has been pricked by the vivid image of grieving God and it is this conviction that has motivated me to make some serious changes.

Where to Start? 

I have to set boundaries in my life. No, these aren't a list of legalistic rules but clearly defined goals. These goals are no different than preparing for the next "Tough Mudder" race or saving your money for a car or college. It's part of growing up. It's part of sacrificially choosing the best things in life over the non-essential.

Three questions to consider:

• How is your relationship with Jesus? If your schedule crowds out your relationship with God, something has to go. If your prayer life or quiet time is lacking, consider cutting out the amount of time you spend on social media or how late you stay out with friends at night.
• Are you setting boundaries in your life? Prayerfully take all your activities, your schedule, your work to God and ask Him to reveal the time wasters. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it means for YOU to redeem the time and remember, these boundaries will enable you to have a better relationship with the Lord and others. 
• How are your relationships with your family and closest friends? If our relationship with the Lord is weak, the relationships around us will suffer for it. Setting boundaries in our life will allow us more time for the relationships that really matter versus the shallow virtual world of social media.

"Stewarding my time is not about selfishly pursuing only the things I like to do. It’s about effectively serving others in the ways I’m best able to serve and in the ways I am most uniquely called to." (Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy)

The Challenge:

I leave you with this challenge: what is God calling you to do? Maybe it's a social media fast. Perhaps its time to cancel your subscription to Netflix. Maybe it's time to shelve a few books or magazines. Perhaps it's saying no to a few social events that keep you out late at night. What is God calling you to do?