It Is a Matter of Time

The value of time is found in this verse from an ancient Sanskrit poem.

“Look to this day for it is life the very life of life.
In its brief course lie all the realities and truths of existence
The joy of growth, the splendor of action, the glory of power.
For yesterday is but a memory, and tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness,
and every tomorrow a vision of hope,
Look well, therefore, to this day.”

The Bible ripples with such counsel. The following verses are from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible. 

“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:16-17)

The ant is an illustration of being an energetic self-starter.

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)

Then follows this council for sluggards. “How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”  (Proverbs 6:9-11)

It is expedient to understand when is the right time to act.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Now a worthy challenge. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90: 12)

Do that, calculate how many days old you are. It helps to realize there will be a last number in that sequence, so don’t waste a one. For,

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)

The Bible calls us to a life of hard work and good deeds. So many things get individuals off those twin rails. To avoid this, identify your priorities. If you don’t, other people and distracting factors will schedule your life for you. You should know better than anyone what a day deserves. Budget the time needed to achieve it and set your mind on achieving it. After his record climb of Mt. Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary spoke of the epic event saying that climbing in such a rarefied atmosphere the mind tends to wander. Therefore, before leaving the base camp in the morning, it is necessary to fix your mind on the objective for the day.

Ask the Lord to help you be a better steward of time.