[1]ATLANTA (BP)–I am working regularly with CEOs of the Fortune 100 and 500 companies in America. There is a tremendous desire to use time wisely, as good stewards. The distractions are countless. The demands are immeasurable. And the pressures to burn the candle at both ends, colliding in the middle, are real. These pressures can affect marriages, families and even our health.
Does God have anything to say that would guide us in the use of our time? He does! In the Scriptures God has given us many guidelines for the use of our time. Among them:
— “… do not worry … but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all … will be added to you … therefore do not worry about tomorrow.” (Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:6-7)
— Ask God daily to guide you, as David did as king: “… show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day … .” (Psalm 25:4-5)
— Consciously let the Shepherd lead you into real “rest” along the way. (Psalm 23)
— Come to him, when you get “weary and heavy burdened.” Learn to “take My yoke upon you and learn from Me … and you will find rest for your souls … .” (Matthew 11:28-30)
[2]— In time of trouble “call upon Me; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
— Learn to listen, hear and obey when God does guide you. (Luke 6:46-49)
— In faith (trusting God) work hard! Paul is our example: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain: but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me … .” (1 Corinthians 5.10)
— Take counsel from others, for God often sends others to you who will speak his counsel to you (John 13:3): “… he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me … .”
— Be unhurried before God, giving him time to guide and help you. David, a busy king, is often heard to say, “… on You I wait all the day long. I wait for You … .” (Psalm 25:5,21). And David would instruct others: “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen you heart; wait, I say on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:l3-14). Waiting is not inactivity. It is, rather, working hard at the last instruction from the Lord and turning the results over to him.
The Scriptures are full of careful guidance from God on how to live in a busy and demanding world, without losing it all by overwork and worry.
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Blackaby serves as president of Henry Blackaby Ministries, on the Web at www.henryblackaby.com [3]. His column appears monthly.