Time. We take it for granted, yet complain we don’t have enough of it. Today’s society encourages people to work longer so they can earn more and buy more. As a result, attitudes about the value of work and the value of leisure
have changed. Family, community, and personal enrichment – things traditionally cultivated during leisure time – suffer.
Recent studies reveal the average American has only four hours of true leisure time on the weekends because of the demands of work, home, and family. And women bear the brunt of the leisure crunch since they generally take responsibility for household chores in addition to parenting and outside jobs.

We have learned to cope with added stress by denying the frailty of time. Believing we have all the time in the world, we tell ourselves, “We’ll watch a sunset, marvel at the stars, read to the children, go on picnics, play in the sand, eat dinners by candlelight… someday.” Only someday never comes. The urgency of the hour dominates our lives, stealing
our time and relationships. Too oft en we run around like headless chickens, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy in our days when, in truth, our lives are whirling out of control. Even Job realized how quickly time can escape us when he said in Job 7:6, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.”

Waiting for the Instructions
We oft en fi ll our schedules so full that we waste precious time on nonessential activities or relationships. If you’re thinking, “I’m trying to listen; why can’t I hear from God?” May I gently ask, “How are you listening?” Is the focus of your prayers on the Lord or on yourself? Are you seeking His will or yours? A calligraphy print hangs in the hallway of a church in West Virginia that asks: “When you kneel to pray, do you wait for instructions…or issue orders?”

The Juggling Act
When we sincerely seek God’s direction for each decision, opportunity, responsibility, and appointment, we slowly develop balance in our lives. Life is a juggling act, but no juggler perfects his act the first time. Keeping several balls in continuous motion takes practice. In the same way, we have to practice the act of balance in our lives. Developing balance begins with your choice to meet with the Lord each morning and to seek His guidance for the day.

Time That Counts for Eternity
It sounds impossible, doesn’t it? And it is if you don’t yield your life to God each day. When we seek God’s wisdom and step out in faith, He becomes our strength, enabling us to accomplish whatever He chooses. We may not gain more hours in a day, but the time we spend will count for eternity. Our decisions and actions while driving in traffic, changing diapers, reading to our children, mopping up spills, or finishing a project will be done in a manner pleasing to Him. Time is fl eeting. James 4:14 tells us, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” How are you choosing to spend your time?