Ironically, most people are too busy to give much thought to time. Time is a unique and valuable gift from God. It is a gift we can give to others. We can either waste it or invest it.

It’s important to consider how we invest our time. Time is a finite resource.* It seems odd that we can be content to selfishly amuse ourselves even while needs are placed directly in our path. We can ask God to make us faithful stewards of time.

God has given us the time we need to accomplish His good and perfect will. Sometimes we involve ourselves with activities apart from God’s direction. It’s difficult (but doable!) to keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25) Jesus explains: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5) This reminds us of our need to frequently commune with God through prayer, His Word, the church and His saints. (Consider joining a small group fellowship!)

I love watching the many facets of change as summer rolls into autumn. It reminds me of the seasons of life as I now see them. We, too, need to be willing to change as the year and the years roll by. You and I were designed for a purpose, one designed by God, but it subtly and sometimes sharply changes over time. For instance, the ministry God called me to changed when I became disabled. But God still has plans for me. (I’m still here!) You, too, are called to a ministry for His kingdom. (1 Peter 4:10-11) Follow God, keep in step, walk by faith, and by all means keep moving forward! The Apostle Paul says it this way:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14, NIV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2a)
Always look at who you and your children are becoming, not simply who they are now.
As time goes by, seek to become a wholly devoted follower of Jesus Christ and fulfill the great commission!

* Although time is generally considered to be non-renewable, there are some notable exceptions such as in Joshua 10:12-14.