Your time is not your own

Time, like our material blessings, is a gift from God. Let's learn to steward it for His glory.

My time does not belong to me. Every moment belongs to Him.

This week, I had an epiphany.

It was a pretty humbling one, I’ll admit.

As a longtime homemaker and freelance writer, I have been “my own boss” for many years.

Early morning as I fixed my husband’s coffee and settled in for a nice, quiet Bible study before sending him off to work, it occurred to me that when he packs up and drives to work, he begins his work day.

And he is “on duty,” other than occasional breaks that can only take place if he’s at a good stopping point, until he finishes in the late afternoon.

Meanwhile, I am at home, being mistress entirely of my own time.

I ought to be “on duty,” too, after all.

I am a strong believer that homemaking is one of the most important occupations in all of society.

Yet I treat it like my own personal time, arranging tasks and taking breaks whenever I please.

It’s left entirely up to my own discrimination as to how I use my time.

Time, however, is a valuable resource.

This is why work site supervisors like those that oversee my husband want to make sure their employees are utilizing their time on the job efficiently. After all, they’re paying them for every moment they’re “on.”

I don’t have a worksite supervisor, however.

I have the Lord almighty overseeing my every move.

Yes, He is certainly rich in mercy — mercy that humbles me when I consider all the ways I mismanage and squander my own time because of absentmindedness, stress, or downright sloth.

My time does not belong to me. Every moment belongs to Him.

And hallelujah for that!

When I considered the way I organize my tasks in this light, it gave me a whole new perspective on how I can manage my time.

In the age of faux social media perfection, it’s so important that we always remind ourselves that perfection can never be the goal.

We do indeed only have each moment as a gift, and what such a waste and sad state of covetousness it is to spend our days seeking mere earthly glory of a meticulously clean and decorated home.

However, diligence and sound stewardship of our gifts are both completely different than the pride, insecurity, and vanity that can lead us to seek unrealistic perfection in our homes and achievements.

I realized all at once that every single day and all the material blessings I have are wonderful gifts, for which I can be grateful, and order according to my love for the Lord, the perpetual worksite supervisor to every home and homemaker.

Now, what used to be selfish sloth or my stressed, frazzled courses around the house, homestead, homeschool cubby, and digital workspace trying to keep all the plates spinning have become beautiful, rhythmic dances of contentment and joy for the chance to keep this home and serve this family.

Not only has this mental shift brought more peace and order to my home and productivity, it’s filled my heart with joy.

Joy of the Lord, joy in the satisfaction of a job well done, and joy in the multiplied gift of material blessings neatly utilized to reflect the goodness and glory of God and His provision.

Time is an incredible gift. Give it Him and you will never turn out empty, manage it well for His glory and He will share with you the bounty of treasure stored in Heaven.