SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1295

“Best Use of Time”

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People outlines a four quadrant model depicting a time management matrix. This tool has been a valuable teaching aid in business. It is also valuable in its adaptation to our Christian walk.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: – Ecclesiastes 3:1

We are all given a finite amount of time in this earthly life. It is a precious resource and God desires that we make the best use of it.

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. – James 4:14

Quadrant 1 – Important/Urgent – This quadrant is characterized by crisis prayer. We will all spend some time here but far too many of us only have a relationship with God in this quadrant. We ignore Him in good times, going the way of the world until a crisis hits, job loss, medical diagnosis, and so on and then we cry out to Him in desperation.

And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. – Psalm 50:15

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. – Psalm 120:1

O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Psalm 141:1; Romans 10:13

This quadrant is where we start our Christian walk with Jesus, receiving salvation for our sins. But we must not live here – in crisis mode. We must transition into Quadrant 2, the best use of time.

Quadrant 2 – Important/ NOT Urgent – This quadrant represents the best use of time. It is where we build and strengthen our relationship with Jesus through Bible study, fellowship with believers, and continual prayer. This quadrant is where we allow Jesus His rightful place at the center of our life instead of an item on our to do list. Time spent here is characterized by Kingdom Living – in the world but not of it.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – 1 Chronicles 16:11; Colossians 3:2

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. – Luke 10:38-39

Quadrant 3 – NOT Important/Urgent – We all have a tendency toward an adrenalin rush so much so that we treat less important things as urgent. Some of us are so electronically connected that we live life off-balance in a constant state of interruption, immediately answering the telephone, tweets, and texts. Constantly interrupted relationships are no relationship at all.

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:40-42

We need to discipline ourselves to stay out of this quadrant. Disconnect from the distractions and interruptions in order to have meaningful fellowship with God in worship and prayer. It is necessary to disconnect also to have fellowship with one another – to truly listen to their heart and being able to minister Christ’s love to them.

Quadrant 4 – NOT Important/NOT Urgent – Time spent in this quadrant is time wasted. It has no redeeming value. Vacations, exercise, and relaxation activities that care for our mental and physical well-being are a quadrant 2 activity. Time in this quadrant is characterized as idleness and laziness. Sluggards live here.

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. – Proverbs 6:10-11

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. – Proverbs 6:6-8

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. – Proverbs 14:23

May the Holy Spirit draw you more and more to life in Quadrant 2. May He convict you of time spent in Quadrants 3 and 4, empowering you to say ‘No’ to the way of the world and to equip you to advance the Kingdom of God through your life’s best use of time, to His praise and glory.