WOMEN’S ROLES

Lesson 5

MANAGER OF THE HOME

SPENDING OUR TIME WITH INTENTIONALITY

 

 

In October of 2022 I wrote the following in my blog on Hbuilders.org:

 

“I have been thinking quite a lot about time lately. As my eyes open each morning to the faithful sunrise, I am struck by this obedient soldier; time. He dutifully passes, steadily, second after second, minute after minute, and hour after hour. Never does he hesitate or waver. He is constant.”

 

I am not the first to contemplate time.  Many, more intelligent people than I have pondered this thing called time and have commented on it.  Maybe you have heard these.

 

“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift.  That’s why it’s called the present.”  Bil Keane (creator of the cartoon The Family Circus)

 

“Time is what we want most but what we use worst.” William Penn (Quaker, who founded Pennsylvania)

 

“The time for action is now.  It’s never too late to do something.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French author who wrote The Little Prince)

 

“Time is a created thing.  To say, “I don’t have time” is to say I don’t want to.”  Lao Tzu (Chinese Philosopher)

 

I like the last one.  I have always believed that we do what we want to do and make time for those things.

 

And one more from man:

 

“The way we spend our time defines who we are.”  Jonathan Estrin  (Producer, actor, writer)

 

As we studied in Titus 2, one of women’s charges is to be busy at home.  We are asked by God to prioritize managing the home and we all know that time management is a huge part of our task.

 

In my new role as a home health caregiver I have once again been pondering time.  I am present at the end of people’s lives;  at the end of their time on earth. I often engage in conversations with older folks as they pour out the joys and regrets of their lives.  Some stories are heart breaking.  Some stories are inspirational.

It  forces me to examine my own use of the gift of time. I often think what will my stories be at the end of my life?

Plato once recorded the words of Socrates.  The greek philosopher said,

“ An unexamined life is not worth living.”

Examining our way of life is what I want to challenge us to do tonight.

 

What should I be spending my time on?

How am I using my time?

What am I prioritizing?

What should I be prioritizing?

Am I being INTENTIONAL about my use of time?

 

 

Of course the creator of time has quite a bit to say as well on the subject.  Here are just a few of God’s instructions concerning the subject of time.

 

 

 

1.)  PSALM 90:12

“Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

 

When we grasp just how short our lives really are in the scope of eternity, it will encourage us to have wisdom.

 

JAMES 4:14

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life? For you are a mist that appears fo a little while and then vanishes.”

 

That wisdom will allow us to make good choices with our time.  Disregarding the fragile nature of time will cause us to miss opportunities to use our time wisely.

 

QUESTIONS:

If I knew I only had one year left to live what would I eliminate from my life?

What would I add to my use of time?

 

 

2.) EPHESIANS 5: 15-16

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.”

 

 

 

 

To redeem means to buy back. The picture is a merchant seizing a valuable bargain.

The scripture is encouraging us to use every opportunity to make the most of our days on earth with intentional, wise, and Godly purpose.  We are called to invest our moments into things with eternal value.

 

QUESTIONS:

When I evaluate my use of time what does it reveal about my priorities?

 

 

3.) JAMES 4:14

“Whatever you do work heartily as for the Lord and not for men - you are serving the Lord Christ.”

 

QUESTIONS:

What should drive my priorities?

What will inspire me to prioritize spiritual goals?

 

 

 

Let me suggest:

 

4.) HEBREWS 9: 28

“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time not to deal with sin, but to save those who are EAGERLY waiting for Him.”

 

TITUS 2: 11-14

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great

God and Savior, Jesus Christ, sho gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, EAGER to do what is good.”

 

 

 

 

2 TIMOTHY 4:8

“And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return.  And the prize is not just for me but for all who EAGERLY look forward to his appearing.”

 

I am convinced that if we truly are convicted on what Christ has done for us and are eagerly awaiting His return like it could be any moment, we would live differently.

 

 

QUESTIONS

How would a greater conviction change our use of time?

 

Less anxious?

More loving?

Less interested in the temporal things?

More intentional about discipling my children in the Word of God

Less apt to push worldly pursuits?

Prioritize service to the Kingdom?

Prioritize Godly character?

Sacrifice my own desires to be present in my marriage?

Sacrifice my own desires to be present for my children?

Less focusing on the things that really don’t matter?

More of Jesus and less of me?

 

 

MATTHEW 6:33

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you