MIN 5310
Jenn Blackston
1-15-11
jennifer.mcgarvey@mailbox.ciu.edu
MIN 5310
Jenn Blackston
1-15-11
Time Management is Really Life Management
I found this book to be very insightful and practical. I look forward to working through the study guide and come up with a workable plan to maximize both my work and my rest. Bobby Clinton said that “leadership is about perspective.” I appreciated the perspective outlined in this book. It was an easy read and at the same time, thought provoking. “They (good leaders-emphazise mine) truly feel the pain and cost of a course of action, but press on with the journey with God-centered hope.” (p. 13) “God has assigned us to the present. We love or hate in the present. We trust or fear in the present. We give our take in the present. Our choices in the present shape and reveal the motives of our heart.” p. 15) I start off with these quotes because of the perspective they provided on time and motives.
I have often wondered how we, as Christians, are supposed to balance the whole work and rest concept. Sometimes I think that we have it all wrong; take pastors for example: they work hard all week doing things such as; counseling, administration work, sermon preparation, hospital visits, funerals, weddings, etc. and then on Sundays, they preach one, maybe two or three sermons, and barely have time to rest during the afternoon. This is not passing judgment on pastors, but sometimes I think we have neglected and/or forgotten that God created us to work for six days, then rest on the seventh day. We often put higher expectations on ourselves that even God does because we are trying to micro- manage everything and everyone that concerns us. “Rest is a space that God gives us when we are removed from the expectations to be productive.” (p. 30) “Not working may be pictured as childlike play, in the best sense. Playing has no goal to achieve or end to accomplish, but the play itself is the end.” (p. 31) I love that illustration because it gives a much needed perspective on the whole concept of rest. We, and I include myself in this statement, feel guilty when we are not doing something productive. “Rest is God's gracious gift to us.” (p. 16) “God's rhythm exposes our fear of failure and our prideful carrying of responsibility that only God is strong enough to handle.” (p. 33) We think we can handle much more than what God actually requires of us. If I don't make time for solitude, I become weary and my energy is depleted, and as a result, I have nothing left to offer others. I purposefully get together with friends simply for the pleasure of their company. Balance is a necessary part of life and God created us for both work and rest. I conclude with this anonymous quote:
This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good,
But what I do today is important
Because I am investing a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
Leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain and not loss, good and not evil,
Success and not failure,
In order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it.
The above quote makes me pause to consider how I spend my time. Every day is a gift from the Lord and I am not guaranteed tomorrow. Everything I do is for the glory of God and I do not want to waste a single moment of today.
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