Tune in, Time Travelers!
Ready to propel your time management to tomorrow and beyond? Buckle up, and let’s set our time-travel machine to 88 MPH according to James 4:13-14. We will explore the ‘how’ of time management today, and leave the ‘what’ for later.
Our buddy James ignites a truth rocket here that could shake up our Google Calendars: We often plan our days, weeks, months, and (dare I say it) years with an air of arrogance. We say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” (James 4:13). Ah, the audacity of our Outlook reminders!
James points out two significant miscalculations in our time management strategy: our wrong view of the future (verse 14a “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow”) and our wrong view of ourselves (verse 14b “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes“).
- Wrong View of the Future: In arrogance and presumption, we strategize, we micromanage, and we lay out timelines. We often operate as if we have a crystal ball, predicting our tomorrow with conviction. Spoiler alert: we don’t! Control of the future is an illusion, James says, Life is unpredictable and we are clueless about even tomorrow.
- Wrong View of Ourselves: Despite our Captain Marvel moments, we’re not invincible or immortal. Our life is fragile and fleeting, as James metaphorically reminds us. That doesn’t mean we’re insignificant, oh no! But it does mean we should humbly accept our limitations and our dependence on God. Don’t “boast in your arrogance” (James 4:16).
If we’re not the fortune tellers or the captains of our destiny, then who is? Drumroll, please… It’s God! He holds the future, and He holds us in His hands. Our time is His time, and He is the boss of our lives.
This understanding should shift our perspective radically. Instead of arrogantly planning our calendar, James says we ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). This isn’t about adding a religious phrase to our planning. It’s about cultivating a heart of humility, acknowledging God’s sovereignty in our plans.
So, let’s start scheduling our iCal or Google Calendar not with presumption, but with humility, recognizing our dependence on God.
As we continue our time-traveling journey, here’s a question to ponder: How do your views of yourself and the future, and your view of God, shape how you use your time?
My view of myself: my time on this earth (and the few years I have left) is just a sliver of time, a tiny window compared to my time in eternity…this perspective magnifies the importance of my actions today.
My view of God is that He knows exactly what challenges/temptations/opportunities lie ahead for me today and tomorrow.
So I should really start the day in conversation with Him.
I find it best to do what we usually do with our time but in reverse. Thus when I plan I try to prioritize godly endeavors first, friends and family next then if I have any leftover time I try to plan things for myself. I also remember one of my favorite verses in all things that are planned, which is Proverbs 16:9, which states: “A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord determines his steps”. Everything should be planned with the knowledge that God is in control and when God is leading us we need to follow and that His way always trumps our own.
My views of myself and future and my view of God shapes me by reminding me who is ultimately in control of my life and it is Christ who gives and takes away anytime He pleases. This is a scary thought because I cant just live for myself but I am to live for His kingdom only. Coming to Him with humility and recognition that He is my Savior and Giver of Life gives me the confidence that He is my one comfort both in life and death and that I am not on my own.
Things are a lot different for me now then it was. I’ve surrender myself to God and he saved me. I’m truly Blessed in so many ways today that I’m overwhelmed in joy. I no longer live in fear and destruction. Thank you for loving God that loves me and those I care and worry about the most. My kids, my family, community, and those around me. God I pray that you continue to guide me and I pray that you draw my kids closer to you. I pray that my kids and my parents want to get to know you more. Amen
As a teacher, planning is my second nature. I like to plan out my daily, weekly, and monthly schedule. One of my challenges is to improvise or adjust, but in today’s reading I’m reminded that I am not in control. We forget that our time on earth is short and fleeting and God truly “holds our future in His hands.” We are reminded to rely and depend on Him and ask Him to direct us. We need to pray “Lord if you’re willing…” when it comes to how we spend our time.