How should a Christian Spend their Time?

HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN SPEND THEIR TIME?

The best answer is to follow God’s will for your life. What does that mean? Do as Jesus did. He was perfect. He told us how to live.

“Love the Lord your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… And… You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

MATTHEW 22:36/40

How do we put this into practice and what has this got to do with how we spend our time?

All the time you are awake is used either productively… or wastefully…

WHAT IS A WASTE OF MY TIME?

Doing anything that makes you feel unhappy, 

bored, 

anxious, 

useless. 

Here are a few examples:

1. Ruminating on your faults.
2. Regretting things.
3. Wishing you were different.
4. Agreeing to do things you don’t want to do… because you want to please others.
5. Worrying about the future.

WHAT IS A PRODUCTIVE USE OF MY TIME?

Just a few:

1. Giving your full attention to whatever you are doing.
2. Putting your best effort into everything you do.
3. Scheduling time to pray.
4. Bible study.
5. Thanking God… for your friends, your home, your church… the list is endless.
6. Slowing down to enjoy things… your coffee, a flower in the garden, reading a magazine.
7. Make time every day for something you enjoy… jigsaw puzzle, crossword, painting, sport, yoga… anything as long as it is in line with God’s teachings and you enjoy it.

HOW TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD.

Anytime can be time with God but it is important to have regular time. 

What gets scheduled gets done.

So apart from regular prayer time… 

can’t decide what to eat? Ask God. 

A bit confused on what to do at the weekend? Ask God. 

Not sure if you should reach out to someone? Ask God. 

You will be amazed how sudden clarity can come on even the simplest of perplexing issues. 

God never runs out of time for us. 

The most unimportant, insubstantial thing is important to God if we ask his help. 

He doesn’t just want to hear from us when we pray for the poor or world peace… he wants to hear from us all the time.

DEAR FATHER GOD, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GIVEN US AND PLEASE DIRECT US TO SPEND OUR TIME WISELY. HELP US TO GROW CLOSER TO YOU AND TO FULLY ENCOUNTER THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ESPECIALLY JOY. IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY. AMEN