Ephesians 5:15-16, New King James Version

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14, NKJV)

No matter who you are, what you do for a living, or your social status, we all have exactly the same number of minutes in a day. The question is, how will we use them?

Time is one of our most valuable resources. Money can be replaced. Financial shortfalls can be made up. But nothing can replace time. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.

Today we live in age of distractions. It’s not that we are necessarily idle or lazy. But so many things fight for our time and attention that we can become distracted from important and essential things. For example, nonstop media entertainment and electronic gadgets fill our modern lives, constantly luring us away from the truly important things of life. Part of the act of prioritizing is identifying these types of timewasters and eliminating them from our routines — or at least reducing the amount of time we spend focusing on those activities.

Most people today are either too busy – or not busy enough. Either our schedules are so hectic we cannot get everything done, or else we are bored and restless, constantly looking for something to amuse us. 

We cannot always choose how to use our time, of course; sometimes our circumstances control us. But even if circumstances control our time, we can still control our attitude – with God’s help. He can also help us gain more control over our time and begin to use it in new ways.

So, how can we use our time wisely? 

First, see each day as a gift from God. Instead of seeing each day as a burden, see it instead as another opportunity God has given you to serve Him. Time isn’t inexhaustible, nor can we assume we will always have more; someday our time on earth will end. The psalmist said, “My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:15). The first thing we should do when we awake is thank God for the gift of another day.

Second, commit your time to God. God gave it to you for a reason: not to be wasted or mishandled, but to be used for His glory. We are accountable to Him for the way we use our time, and once a minute passes, it can never be brought back. The Bible says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NIV).

How can we put this into action? It may mean asking God to help us schedule our time more wisely and efficiently. It may mean rethinking how we spend our time and then adjusting it to reflect God’s priorities. We may also need to examine why we are so busy (or so bored). Is what we are doing really necessary – or are we simply trying to impress others? We cannot do everything, and we need to say “no,” if some activity isn’t God’s will.

Third, set aside time for God and for others. No Christian would say, “I am too busy for God,” but how often have you gone through a whole day without even thinking about Him (let alone praying or reading the Bible)? How often have you ignored someone who needed your encouragement or help?

Finally, take time for your own needs. We all need rest and recreation; God made us this way. Some people feel guilty if they take a vacation or even a few hours off (I am guilty of this), but we shouldn’t. In the midst of an incredibly busy schedule, Jesus told His disciples, “…Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31, NIV). If Jesus required times of rest, don’t we also? Someone who is chronically exhausted from lack of sleep or improper eating is much more susceptible to Satan’s attacks.

The ability to properly manage our time and to establish sound, balanced priorities is one of the most important things we can learn so we can experience a stable, fruitful life as a believer and a leader. So, I encourage you today to prioritize your time by carefully identifying the things that are most essential to your life. Once you have determined your top priorities, focus on those areas and let other, less important pursuits fall into place beneath what you truly value most. As you learn to use your time wisely, not wasting it but making the most of the life God has given you, you will surely find the fulfillment He desires you to experience in every area of your life.

Pray this way when you are given a fresh 86,400 seconds tomorrow:

Father, I ask You to help me understand what my top priorities should be and then give me the discipline to live according to Your guidelines. Help me discern when something is actually a distraction that will pull me off task, so I don’t become entangled in activities that are either unnecessary or possibly even a hindrance to the main thing You want me to accomplish. I repent for the times I have allowed procrastination and laziness to waste valuable time. Those are not habits that I want to continue in my life. Teach me to focus and prioritize as You help me grow new habits and patterns that produce Your desired results in my life. Today I make a fresh commitment to use my time with wisdom and to trust You to guide my choices so I can make the most of every moment. I pray this in Jesus’ name! Amen!