By Rachel Loe, January 29, 2024

“You may delay, but time will not.” Benjamin Franklin is one of the most quoted figures in American history, and he has many that relate to the idea that time marches on regardless of whether we are ready for it or not. Continuing on the theme of time management, we have covered the macro-level view of how we should view our time and the reality that it is not our own. But what does this look like on the micro, day-to-day level? How can we be good stewards of the time that God has given us? 

There are many basic tenements to time management that have been exhausted in business journals and publications, but for all the advice given, why is it still so hard for us to implement them? What the secular world does not consider when trying to address the functions of time management is that sin stretches into even this aspect of our lives and demands that we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us deal with it daily. From one extreme of procrastination and sloth to the other extreme of hyper-productivity and obsession with accomplishment (see pride), we tend towards the gratification of the flesh. The Lord, in His grace, has given us many basic rules of life that will help us manage this. Last week, I covered the worldview that leads to a healthy time management structure. In the next 3 weeks, I will explain how God has instructed us to steward our time. 

For the HyperProductive

For my type A overachievers, we will start with what God has instructed us in balance. I am guilty of wanting to say yes to all good things and then finding that I cannot do them all well. Additionally, I try to take on more things than I should because I might be better equipped than others to do them. These two attitudes point to pride. Am I doing so much because I want the credit and think I am better than others? Pride can clothe itself in a false humility. Two stories in scripture point to these things. First, in Exodus 18:13-24, we see the story of Moses helping to judge disputes among the Israelites. He is standing from day to night to the point that his father-in-law, Jethro, comes to him and says, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone” (vv. 17-18). Jethro then advises Moses to delegate some responsibilities among the men of the people. 

The second story is that of Mary and Martha at the feet of Jesus. It is a popular story that I am sure you know well. Luke 10:38-42 is a short story that has impacted my life. Two sisters welcome Jesus into their home, and a lesson unfolds. Martha is striving to show hospitality and create a warm welcome for their guests. I want to point out that these are good things! But she gets distracted by the tasks and the pride in accomplishing a good thing, so she goes to Jesus and says, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (v. 40). Martha is so worried about what needs to be done and how much she is doing that she has lost sight of what is important. Jesus reminds her of this in v. 41-42 by gently replying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

So when you look at your weekly calendar and are consumed with your to-do list, remember that we are stewards of what God gave us; this includes our time and what we do with it. Have you booked yourself completely so that you cannot do everything as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24)? Do you strive to accomplish it all and forget who it is that has ultimate authority?

“Unless the Lord builds the house,

    those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Psalm 127:1 (ESV)