October 19. Less Limits In Just One Week.

As leaders of a family, company, or organization we all have the same twenty-four hours. Much of our time seems that it is already spoken for though. It does for me sometimes and I suspect it does for you.

But beyond our sleep and nourishing our bodies with food and water, our time is completely in our control. It is in our ability to take control of the time and spend it as wisely as we can. Our instincts are a challenge to us as leaders because we are human.

We are driven by a big message receptor called a brain. The brain is always scanning for signals and messages that might indicate a perceived danger. Did you catch that perceived danger phrase? All dangers that the brain sees are not necessarily immediate dangers or even real.

When you are hungry your brain sends danger signals. You better eat or else I might starve. Are you really food insecure at that moment or just do not happen to be eating at the moment? If you would eat at that moment, would it make the stomach and brain happy?

What do you see as the largest waste of your time in the coming week? Can you really afford to expend that time doing it or would your team or family appreciate you using the time in another fashion?

Change the limits of your time by accepting the responsibility to be more intentional with one thing this week. What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

As brothers and sisters in Christ, our time is precious as well. We have the challenge of the world demanding our attention competing with our desire to have time with our Lord and Creator. Where are you spending time being frustrated or worried?

It might be possible that the next week would be more productive if it were spent with less of the frustrations or worries.

We read, “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ‘Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.’” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT.

Being frustrated might be a mental argument between what is wanted or desired and what is believed to be the obstacle to obtaining it. Why do we make time for those mental arguments? If we fill our time intentionally, we will have less time for those arguments.

The lower importance arguments might simply be crowded out which might leave more space for love and godliness. Where are you struggling with arguments, frustration and worries? Do you have time for it this coming week or will you decide to be more intentional with your time?

Will you accept the challenge this week to limit your frustration and worries? What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, our days are shaped by the rising of the sun and the coming of the night. Empower us to look at the presence of the daylight to put you first. Comfort us as we remove what we have filled our time with as we have deemed it appropriate.

There is nothing more appropriate to spend our time with than you. Thank you for your forgiveness because we know that there are times that we have not been with you and that we have not listened when you have spoken. Assist us in making the time for you.

May our stopwatches be reset; our alarm clocks cleared, and our calendars opened. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,