How Will I Find the Time? Let’s Transform Time From Excuse to Friend

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-17‬)

I played a certain online game for five years. 

Yup. 

Five years. 

I do admit I loved it and how it made my mind turn off any worry or stress for those minutes, or hours, each day of playing, and do not judge anyone who plays it. However, let me share why I was personally convicted to finally stopped playing it cold turkey. 

Like the rest of us, I have goals. Many of these dreams have been deeply rooted in me since I was a child. In 2016, as I “crushed away” on my phone app, some of my aspirations included to live in the present. Others at the time included wanting to start my blog again, to start publishing some of my books, and to make a difference according to God’s will for my life. I wanted to develop a deeper connection with my husband and children, to be more in-tune with family and friend relationships, and to become who God created me to be.

I felt empowered and ready each morning after my prayer time with God. But I continued to find less and less time to work on my writing/editing yet I felt called to continue. But God, how? How will I find the time?

Then, one night during time we spent together as a family before bed, my son asked to play on my phone. Finding that game of mine there, he begged me to show him how to play. It was only for a few minutes that night but soon turned into a few minutes every night…

…a few minutes every night that took away from conversation and soon could turn into hours or even days of valuable time taken away. 

My husband challenged me, “You still play that game? Why don’t you delete it?”

I started my defensive comeback ... It helped me work out in the morning (Yes I had been guilty at the time of being the one running on a treadmill playing and “crushing” it, although I do not recommend that. Oops… I think I gave away the name of the game. Still, I digress. )

More excuses came too…

It helped me unwind. It helped me destress. I enjoyed it. But here is the one that led me to know I needed to change something…

It helped me AVOID.

Now, unwinding is one thing, but avoiding is another. I was avoiding my goals and dreams because stepping into them made me so extremely vulnerable. I mean acknowledging them, verbalizing them, stretching and reaching for them…

what happened if I failed?!

Stretch goals are not easy. Stretching for our goals is not easy. They call us out of our comfort zones, but they will never be reached or even have the possibility of being reached, if we avoid them. 

God-given gifts and those dreams that are placed on our hearts that align with those gifts MUST NOT be avoided. They must be prayed for and used to do good.

So 1,825 days later ... 

I deleted that game.

While I could not get any of that past time back, I needed that time going forward... 

Prayer...

writing...

poetry...

close family and friends...

all help me unwind, destress, and focus. But they also help me stretch out for those dreams and give me the time to do so. And even though the house is messier than I would like, I pray my mind and heart stay aligned with God’s Word. It is in that time each morning with the Lord and in the Bible that I pray for steps and next steps, forgiveness and redirection. It is there I learn to trust more and that everything is working together for good. However, I must make the time.

Time…

Time..

Time. 

It won’t slow down for us because we aren’t ready. Time won’t drag its feet for us either, or pause, because we decide to use it for something unproductive.  Back in early 2022, I had also been reminded and humbled time and time again about social media as well. We must be careful and intentional with our time and not get distracted with such things as scrolling.

For me this was a reminder about the gift of TIME. While this may be a very unpopular opinion according to the world, ultimately views and follows don’t matter. Instead, it is about WHO we turn our view to and Who we follow… that matters.

Eyes on the Lord.

In reflecting on this message this week, it brought me back to Luke 10,

”As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭38‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

I had been praying to be present and to not grumble about some situations out of my control. Instead, I was reminded to dwell at Jesus’ feet, being filled with His life-giving Word and Truths. For self-righteousness and pride will have us faltering in everything we alone can do.

When really… it is about who God is and that we should not be trying to do it alone! God is by our sides so why do we become so distracted in other preparations and thoughts?

I can’t do any of it without God. Or rather, I can but I make quite the mess when I try to.

Yet, there are times we are meant to be like Martha in the passage above right? The times we are called to do something the Lord calls us to do.

But so much more frequently, we must be intentional about being like Mary…. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, receiving what we need from Him. He alone fills us. He provides. He equips. He comforts.

He loves us through all the Martha moments and all the Mary moments too.

He loves us through all the moments.

And this week, I’ll be sharing about using our time productively and also about leaning into the moments we have the opportunity to love and listen, to learn and live out our faith. Because they are before all of us… it is our choice what we do with them?

Still, is so hard sometimes to not get sucked into the hustle and hurry of the world. However, that does not take away or even dim its truth. The good news is that every moment is the opportunity to turn it around. 

So while those reminders do not feel pretty sometimes, I appreciate them getting and keeping me in check. 

TIME and TIME again. 

Right HERE and right NOW

The Art of a Messy House Right Here Right Now challenge:

What do you need to let go of? What prompts or dreams have you had your whole life that are not going away?

1) Write them down.

2) Pray about them. Even if they feel attainable and too large to achieve, remember this: every step counts.

3) Break it down into small, realistic and attainable steps. The first step is often the hardest. However, it is always worth it to walk in obedience to where God is leading you. Celebrate every step.

Because time does not have to be an excuse, instead it can become a friend.

♡ To hear and learn more about this message on being intentional with our time, check out episode 9 of The Art of a Messy House podcast now available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” ‭‭(Colossians‬ ‭4:4-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

(Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Dear God,

You hold all authority and power and still You love me. Forgive my wandering eyes. Forgive my distracted mind. Thank You for Your kind corrections. Thank You for loving me through it all. Holy Spirit help me stay focused on what matters most. Help me stay on track with the plans and purposes You have for my life. Lord, You are good. I pray today to walk aligned with You, making the most of this gift, the gift of time, the gift of Your presence. I pray to make the most of every opportunity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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God bless!