Trusted WITH TIME

Time was a major focus at the Beijing Olympics. Sprinter Usain Bolt shocked the sports world when the clock read 9.69 at the end of his 100m race. Especially since he coasted the last 15-20 meters. Fans of the US Swim team cheered and groaned when differentials of .01 seconds meant a gold medal for Michael Phelps and a silver for Darra Torres. As fans, we lived and died by the clock. Sounds familiar, huh? Do you ever stop to think about how much we rely on the gift of time?

NUMBERING OUR DAYS
There's a great prayer about time in Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number each of our days so that we may grow in wisdom." While it is true that our days are numbered, most of us don't live with that truth daily. What would happen if we began to see and use our days like they were a sacred trust from God?

A GIFT - NOT A GIVEN
Last Sunday I asked our church community how many of them were planning on waking up on Monday. Every single hand went up. Most of us live like the future is a given. Even though we know it is a reality, most of act surprised when we hear that someone (ex. Tim Russert, Bernie Mac) has died. The Bible is very honest about our relationship with time. The bottom line is that we're powerless to grant ourselves any more time. Yes- all the self-help and productivity articles are lying. God is the giver of time. Numbering our days might mean approaching each one as if it is a gift from God, instead of a given.

SPENDING OUR DAYS WISELY
Thinking about our time differently should eventually lead us to use it in a new, better way. Think about the way we refer to time. We SPEND time, SAVE time and BUY time. We talk about time like a commodity. What makes our days so valuable? We don't know how many we have left. Tomorrow isn't promised. So, we'd better make the most of today. What does it mean to spend our time wisely? Although there are tons of valid answers, let me suggest a few. Spending our days wisely might mean enjoying the gift of life. Often when we talk about time management we think about work and productivity. And while work is an important part of the life that God is giving us, it isn't the only thing. In the Old Testament, God taught His people a holisitic rhythm of life that included work, rest, celebration and relationships. Using our days well might also mean enjoying the Giver of time. We don't have to wait until we meet our Maker to get to know Him. Every day offers us opportunities for gratitude and communion. One more idea here. Numbering our days can also mean doing the work of the Giver of time. Why has God given us this day? Perhaps He has something for us to do on His behalf? People to be served or love. Hope to be dispensed. Mercy to be shared. Justice to be sought.

REFLECT:

Q: What is your relationship like with time? Are you perpetually early or late? Do you over or underschedule?

Q: Look at Psalm 90:1-6 again. How do these verses contrast God's relationship with time vs. our relationship with time?

Q: When was the last time you thought about the short and unpredictible nature of life? What happened to trigger that? Do you like to think about this kind of stuff?

Q: Look at James 4:13-15 again. What does God take exception to in this passage? Is this an admonition against future planning? What role should prayer play in our time management?

Q: Do you have a sense of why God is giving you this time on earth? What purposes/missions has He given you to fulfill during your days here?

Try It: Pray Psalm 90:12 every day this week.