Tag: John 17:4

How to Beat Time Gobblers and Enjoy Peaceful Holidays God’s Way

Jeannie Waters27 Comments on How to Beat Time Gobblers and Enjoy Peaceful Holidays God’s Way

Have you noticed how time gobblers strut into our homes during the holidays? If we’re not careful, they’ll roost in the corners and take up residence for the new year. I don’t mean Thanksgiving turkeys. I’m referring to those mischievous time robbers, the ones we need to avoid so we can use time as God intends.

These pests flash neon signs to distract me. Did you know they wear costumes? Yes, they camouflage themselves and blend into my agenda.

Time gobblers often dress in communication garb with accessories like text messages and phone calls. Some of them masquerade as computer or cell notifications. Others disguise themselves as alluring store flyers with “SALE ENDS FRIDAY” and nest in my mailbox.

When I walk through my house, more of these nuisances demand attention. A wilting plant, a stained shirt, a crooked lampshade, three more oatmeal cookies and three chapters of a good novel. As the king in the musical The King and I said, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.” The items on this list may be worthy of our attention, but they can devour precious moments and sabotage our goals for the day.

I start each day with intentions of productivity, but some days, as soon as I gain momentum, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.” The time-chomping pests attack, and I’m off-task.

Sometimes human need intervenes, and we must decide if the request for our time is one that requires attention right away, later, or if it should be a matter of prayer instead of action. “Interruptions” could be God-appointed and result in blessings for another person or for us. 

“Interruptions” could be God-appointed and result in blessings for another person or for us. Share on X

Please give us wisdom, Lord.

What do your time gobblers look and sound like? How do you stay on track and focus on what’s most important?

Sometimes when I’m bombarded with distractions and numerous options for time use, I struggle to distinguish between good choices and the best choice. I’m asking God to help me use my time for His glory as He reveals His will. I want to choose wisely.

In Tyranny of the Urgent, Charles E. Hummel differentiates between the urgent and the important. He warns seemingly urgent tasks may rob us of the opportunity to meet an important goal. 1 Sometimes the most valuable activities, like exercising or building relationships, are postponed indefinitely because they aren’t urgent.

Mr. Hummel poses a question that captured my attention. “What was the secret of Jesus’ ministry?”

I considered how Jesus took time to speak with the woman at the well, to visit with Zacchaeus in his home, to heal the lame, and to feed the crowd. However, as the author pointed out, Jesus did not instantly meet the needs of all who clamored for His attention (Mark 1:35-39, John 11:1-6) but instead remained focused on the Father’s will.

Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to His Father,

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:4 ESV

I long to accomplish the work God gives me to do, to have my plans aligned with His. To use every bit of skill, talent, time, and opportunity He gives me this side of heaven. Isn’t that your desire as well? Let’s ask ourselves these questions:

  • What gifts did God give me for His glory?
  • How is He equipping me?
  • How can I use each twenty-four-hour period to honor Him?
  • Am I caring for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health?
  • Am I wasting time or using it to honor Christ daily as I balance rest and activity?
  • How can I know God’s will for me?

The following verse demonstrates one practice Jesus followed in His mission:

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35 ESV

Jesus prayed at various times of day. For us, reading God’s Word and praying as early as possible are advantageous when we’re seeking daily guidance. Would you like some encouragement on this topic? Here’s a promise:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8 ESV

As the holidays approach, let’s consider how His will might differ from ours. How can we use time for His glory, including times of rest and celebration? Perhaps a lonely neighbor would enjoy a visit. Although not urgent, the visit may be the most important use of our time.

Instead of filling our days with as many activities as we can cram in, I’m asking God to show you and me how to honor Him with our time and how to pray and rest well. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to approach the Christmas season and the new year filled with the peace of Christ as we seek His will and use time wisely?

Please share the ways you plan your days or tell us about a time when God’s plans differed from yours. Until we meet again, watch out for those time gobblers.

I’m thankful for you reader friend, and I look forward to your comments.

1Hummel, Charles E. Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.

Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals

Jeannie Waters26 Comments on Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals

The first time I heard the following quote by Zig Ziglar, it caused deep thought, although the concept is simple. “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” We don’t take a trip—even to the grocery store—without considering our destination and the purpose for going.  

If we drove around in circles without a specific destination and purpose for our errand, we’d waste valuable time and fuel. (And we’d be hungry later.)  

During the first month of a new year, we often set new goals as we aim for success. Perhaps recently you’ve considered the process and devised plans to exercise more, save money, memorize Scripture, or otherwise improve your life.

During New Year’s celebrations in the past, I’d seek God’s guidance for my life and set out to meet goals I believed He wanted me to accomplish. But somehow, along the way, I’d lose focus and forget some of them. I stayed busy and often finished projects, learned new skills, and met new people–all worthy pursuits. But some of the most important God-given goals were not met.

When I sought God’s help, He began to teach me about seeking and fulfilling the plans He has for my life. Allow me to share what I’m learning.

Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals

  1. Follow the example of Jesus.

While reading John 17, I paused at verse four. Shortly before His death, Jesus spoke to the Father. He said,

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:4 ESV

Like the earlier quote, this verse is comprehensible, but it provoked deep thought. Jesus accomplished the work God gave Him to do. Will I?

Jesus understood God’s plan, accepted His assignment, kept His aim on the goal, and fulfilled His purpose. God’s plan of redemption included Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of mankind. Mission accomplished.

Jesus only walked the dusty roads of this earth for about thirty-three years, yet He met the goal God had established by accomplishing all the Father designated for Him to do.

When I pondered this truth, I remembered God also assigned work for believers to do.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

What a staggering thought—before I surrendered my life to Christ, even before I was born, God planned good works for me to do—works that would honor Him and bless the people He’d place in my path.

When I meet Jesus face-to-face, will I be able to say I’ve accomplished all He’s given me to do?  How will I set goals and reach them in a way that pleases Him and reverberates into eternity for His sake?

How will I set goals and reach them in a way that pleases God and reverberates into eternity for His sake? Share on X

As always, the Word of God holds the answers to our questions and includes the life of Jesus which provides a pattern for us. Here’s an example.

A sunset-to-sunrise story from the life of Jesus illustrates the reason He accomplished the goals assigned to Him. One afternoon as the sun nestled into the horizon, many people brought the sick to Jesus. He laid His hands on each one and healed them.  At daybreak, He went to an isolated place, but the people found Him and tried to persuade Him to stay.

When they attempted to hinder His departure, He said,

I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.

Luke 4:43 ESV

Jesus continued His travels, not because He had no mercy for those who begged Him to stay, but because His eyes were riveted on the ultimate goal. Distractions and the pleas of others failed to divert His attention from God’s plan.

I imagined the tasks He could have chosen throughout His earthly ministry and how He could have spent His time. He could have physically righted more wrongs as He did when the money changers set up tables in the temple. He could have extended His lessons on the Scriptures, healed all the sick, or turned water into wine at every wedding.

But He didn’t. Jesus knew God’s truths, understood His mission and kept His eyes on the goal. Then He could say with confidence He’d accomplished the work the Father planned for Him.

Unlike Jesus, my eyes often drift away from God-designed goals toward tasks I want to do or feel I need to do. Jesus didn’t allow “good things” to hinder the “best thing.” His eyes remained focused on God-given goals. If I follow the example of Jesus, He will help me follow His plan.

2. Seek and follow God’s guidance through prayer and Bible study.

Through prayer and Bible study, we can discern God’s will for our lives, and with His power working in us, we can live in a way that pleases Him. His Spirit enables us to complete the work He gives us to do when we yield our weaknesses to His strength. He forgives us when we repent of sin and return to His plan. When our focus drifts or we’re tempted to go our own way, our wise Shepherd guides us toward the right path. What an exciting daily adventure to partner with Jesus as we do the work God assigned to us and meet His expectations.

3. Keep a journal about what God is teaching you.

Rather than praying and creating a finite list of goals in the early days of January, I recorded them in a journal along with questions, one goal per page. As God answers my questions and continues to teach and transform me, I’m adding notes and verses to each page. Recording truths He shows me secures my focus and helps me meet God-given goals for my life. I’m still learning, and I’m thankful God continues to teach me.

The year is still new. Eleven months stretch before us if the Lord wills. Let’s follow the example of Jesus by setting our aim on God’s plan for our lives, continuing to seek His guidance through prayer and Bible study, and taking notes as He teaches us. My prayer is that you and I will lean in close to our heavenly Father and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 ESV).

How do you determine God’s will for your life? Please share the ways you choose goals and plan to reach them.

What Are Your Time Gobblers?

Jeannie Waters12 Comments on What Are Your Time Gobblers?

I’m writing about gobblers today–not the ones we see at Thanksgiving–but the mischievous time gobblers. These pesky critters lurk around flashing neon signs to distract me. Did you know they wear costumes? Yes, they camouflage themselves to hide in my agenda.

Time gobblers often dress in communication garb with accessories like text messages and phone calls. Some of them masquerade as computer or cell notifications. Others disguise themselves as those alluring store flyers with “SALE ENDS FRIDAY” and nest in my mailbox.

When I walk through my house, more of these nuisances demand attention-swallowing valuable moments. A wilting plant, a card to mail, a stained shirt, a crooked lampshade, and, as the king in the musical “The King and I” said, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.”

I start each day with intentions of productivity, but some days, as soon as I gain momentum, WHAM! The time-chomping pests attack and I’m off-task.

Sometimes human need intervenes and we must decide if the request for our time is one that requires attention then, later, or if it should be a matter of prayer only. “Interruptions” could be God-appointed and result in blessings for another person or for us.

What do your time gobblers look and sound like? And how do you conquer them? How do you stay on track and focus on what’s most important?

Sometimes when I’m bombarded with distractions and numerous options for time use, it’s difficult to distinguish between good choices and the best choice. I’m asking God to help me use time for His glory as He reveals His will. I want to choose wisely.

In Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles E. Hummel, the author differentiates between the urgent and the important. He warns that seemingly urgent tasks may rob us of the opportunity to meet an important goal. 1

Mr. Hummel poses the question, “What was the secret of Jesus’ ministry?” The thought captured my attention.

I considered how Jesus took time to speak with the woman at the well, to visit with Zacchaeus in his home, to heal the lame, and to feed the crowd. However, as the author pointed out, Jesus did not instantly meet the needs of all who clamored for His attention (Mark 1:35-39, John 11:1-6) but remained focused on the Father’s will.

Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to His Father,

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:4

I long to accomplish the work God gives me to do, to have my plans aligned with His. Isn’t that your desire as well? Let’s ask ourselves these questions:

  • What gifts did God give me for His glory?
  • How can I use each twenty-four-hour period to honor Him?
  • Am I caring for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health?
  • Am I wasting time or using it to honor Christ daily as I balance rest and activity?
  • How can I know God’s will for me?

The following verse demonstrates a practice of Jesus:

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35

Jesus prayed at various times of day. For us, reading God’s Word and praying as early as possible are advantageous when we’re seeking daily guidance. Would you like some encouragement on this topic? Here’s a promise:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8

As the holidays approach, let’s consider how His will might differ from ours. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to approach the next three months filled with the peace of Christ as we seek His will and use time wisely?

Please share the ways you plan your days or tell us about a time when God’s plans differed from yours. Until we meet again, watch out for those time gobblers!

1Hummel, Charles E. Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.