“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

 Time. Is it your enemy or your friend? Do you find yourself struggling to find the time to do the things you want to do? Does time seem to be slipping away, the future becoming now without anything to show for the past? I’ve got you, my friend!

Time. We all have the same amount, but some of us seem to make more of that time. Some of us seem to be accomplishing our goals and dreams. Some of us just seem to have more time.

Well, it isn’t true. No one has more time than you do. They are just using their time in a way that enables them to get done what they want to do. They are discovering their more in the way they use their time. Wouldn’t you like to do that, my friend? Okay, then! Let’s get started!

You don’t find time, you make it. Every person has the same amount of time in a day. Twenty-four hours. Then what do I mean about making time rather than finding time? It’s simple. Your schedule is yours. It doesn’t belong to anyone else. You are the one who determines how you spend your twenty-four hours.

Think of it this way. You are the one who determines how you spend the money in your pocket or in your bank account, right? However, your bills are based on your choices. You may not have chosen for your car to break down, but you have chosen to own a car. You may not have chosen to be sick, but you choose to let the doctor take care of you. (That’s a good choice, by the way!) If you stop at the coffee shop every day before work and spend $30 a week on coffee, that is your choice. How you spend your money is a direct result of your choices. The same is true of how you spend your time. If you want more time to discover your more, then you have to change your choices on how you spend your time. You make time by choosing it.

What you spend the most time on is what is important to you. If you don’t like the way you are spending your time, or if you aren’t making time for the things you want to do, then a time inventory is what you need. Take a look at your calendar and evaluate what you have scheduled. Are there choices you can change to schedule the things you really want to do?

Then there is the even more difficult inventory. Intentionally notice how you are spending your unscheduled time. How much scrolling fills those minutes? What about TV? Mindless organizing and cleaning? (That may not be you, but believe me, it is someone you know!) Gossiping on the phone? Other people’s projects?

How you spend your time indicates your priorities. I have often felt like other people were planning my schedule. Now, there are things that I have needed to do to serve the other people in my life – my family, my employers, the church I serve – but if I am not making time to do things I believe I am called to do, then I am making their tasks more important than the tasks I believe God has called me to beyond serving them. I believe that serving others is part of what every person is called to do. However, if I am not making time for the things I believe God has called me to, then I am not making God’s call a priority. Where are you spending your time? What does that say about what is important to you?

If you don’t prioritize your schedule, someone else will.  If you change your focus based on other people’s priorities, then pleasing others is more important to you than achieving your purpose. Ouch! You are responsible for your own schedule. Yes, you must do the things that serve others. Don’t skip that project your boss assigned to you! But, if you don’t plan to do those things that you know are about fulfilling your divine potential, they will not get done. You will always feel like you are failing. Believe me, I understand that feeling. I have it heard it said that what is scheduled is what gets done. What do you think?

Until I became intentional about making writing part of my regular routine, I always felt like I was not doing something I was called to do. Writing a book has been on my goal list for…well, forever! When I read a tip about writing fifteen minutes a day, decided where to make that a part of my regular routine, and then began to do that, I began to get done what I had always felt called to do. You can do that, too, my friend! I now have a completed first draft of a book. Wow! Does that feel good?! What would make you feel good to complete?

What is it that you need to take time to make time for? What is it you feel called to do, but haven’t worked into your schedule? What are you allowing other people to plan for you? What do you need to rearrange?

It’s time for you to take the time to make the time!

Key Question: How can you take the time to make the time to discover YOUR more?

A Scripture to Consider: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

A YES Challenge: Do a time inventory. Look at your schedule for last week. Think through what you did and how you spent your time. What took up the most time? What does that say about what is important to you? What changes do you want to make for the week ahead so that you are doing what God has called you to do?

Prayer: Father, I have let others plan my schedule for me. I have made things other than Your calling my priority. Forgive me, Father. Help me to rearrange my schedule. Help me to take the time to make the time to do that thing You have put in my heart. I want my time to honor You. I want what I do to bring You glory. I know that when I make that my priority, my life will be satisfying and fulfilling. Help me to fulfill my divine potential for Your glory. Amen.