My time or your time?

Time is an interesting concept that we don't think about except when we are 'out of time'! But the question is really how we view time. Is time something that controls us or something that we control? Is time a commodity, something to be earned or spent or given, or is time a blessing, something to be grateful for in every moment and passed on for the blessing of others? Looking at time this way is realizing that we can never possess time because time is God's gift to us moment by moment.

This is incredibly important for leaders to consider because their view of time will allow them to lead well or always be dealing with the most urgent concerns. Time is also directly connected to our vision, which I hope you have had TIME (ha ha) to begin to develop over these last weeks. Our vision for life and ministry helps us to set priorities on our time and then decide to live by those priorities on a day by day, moment by moment basis.

Here are some related questions for you:

• According to your life mission/vision, what is your top priority?
• How much time each day is directly related to this top priority?
• Do you feel that you make good progress on this priority or does something need to be changed or rearranged in order to reach your goals?
• What can be dropped from your schedule that has no impact on your priorities or your vision?

Be careful to drop the right things because there are some that seem unimportant but actually are very important! Sleep, for example, is one element of our life that allows us to function well in every other area. Without sleep we cannot think, digest food or have energy for the day ahead.

Here is another interesting illustration of how time is viewed differently by different people and cultures: Someone in Africa has noted that "Americans are people that have watches but no time. Africans are people that have time but no watches."