And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1
The way we use our time is an important aspect of our walk with the Lord. We usually don’t consider our use of time an area that requires transformation, but that is a critical aspect of our lives that should be evaluated in the light of scripture. We all have had influences in our lives that set a pattern on how we spend our time. To steward the time the Lord has blessed us with, we should examine those influences and evaluate the voices that might compel us to be out of line in our priorities.
1. Our family upbringing
It is important to think about our family history and see its influence on us. Many times we follow our parents’ pattern rather than evaluating it in the light of the scripture and understanding the will of the Lord. At other times, we do not appreciate the value of sacrifices our parents made to create a peaceful and secure environment, so we take for granted what we had as a child. We assume we can have everything our parents provided in addition to what we want such as a having a demanding career or more money in the bank.
2. The Lifestyle of friends
The lifestyle of our friends can make a big difference on how we view our lives and whether we think we are successful or not. If our friends have ambitious careers or fancy houses, it is easier to be compelled to do the same and view that lifestyle as the pattern of success. The truth is that the fruit and the consequences of our peers’ decisions could take years before they become evident.
3. The voice of the culture
In our culture, provision turns into a dream house or a dream job! We have a tendency to stretch ourselves too thin in order to have a higher lifestyle than we can normally afford.Whenever we choose a higher lifestyle, it creates a perpetual demand to maintain it over a long haul. This adds stress and a lack of time with the Lord and with our loved ones.Children may enjoy a big house and a nice play room, but they are more secure and content when they have Mom and Dad’s attention.
There was a time that we were tempted to purchase a bigger house, but we didn’t. Looking back at it, we were so thankful we did not put ourselves in that financial obligation. Had we purchased that house, we would have been tied down to a big mortgage, and it would not have allowed my husband to leave his stressful job!
4. The desire to do ministry
We are all called to do the work of ministry. The work of ministry allows people to feel that they are contributing to the work of the Kingdom. It also allows them to have something that takes their minds off of work and family and connects them with others. The work of ministry is important, but it is also important to remember that the work of ministry changes faces depending on the season of life we are in. Our first ministry is at home, and eventually we will do more at our churches and in our community. Furthermore, not all ministries are alike, and some of them are more time-consuming than others. We don’t need to be looking at others and determine our level of involvement based on their level of busyness in ministries. We are all accountable to the Lord on how we steward our time! For those who have younger families, you may have to choose ministries that are not as demanding to ensure that it does not take you away too much time from your family.
What are the areas of conformity for you? Are you following the pattern of your parents, friends, culture, or church members? Once we recognize the areas of conformity to the world system, we can ask the Lord to help us to renew our mind in stewarding our time according to His will! This isn’t easy, but it’s worth it!
