Session 44

Are you making the most of your time?

From Genesis: A 7-Week Devotional

Was her birthday really yesterday, and I forgot to call?

How did this deadline sneak up so quickly?   

We’ve all been there. The sinking feeling of missing an important occasion, or realizing our project is one day too late to turn in. If only we had a little more time!

But, what if the problem isn’t that we don’t have enough time? What if the real issue is how we spend the time we have?

Before Genesis 6:3, people regularly lived from 800 to 900 years. To think about 120 years as a shortened life span seems strange to us. But, when God announced He was limiting man’s life, it was an effort to get their attention. God saw mankind’s wickedness and said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever…” (Genesis 6:3).

The men in Noah’s day had 120 years to turn to God, but they chose not to. These people didn’t get to see God’s promises unfold. Noah and his family were the only ones who survived the flood.

Noah chose to follow God daily and pursue Him, even when it didn’t always make sense.  Building an ark in the middle of the desert probably didn’t seem like the logical next step at the time. Noah could have easily said, “Not right now,” or, “I need more time.” But, he didn’t.

The purpose God created us for doesn’t start next week, next month, or next year. It begins now.

When we let God direct our days, we’ll always spend our time wisely. Life is such a precious gift that God has given us. He promises not only to give us life, but also to give us a full life when we follow Him (John 10:10). That is something that we don’t want to procrastinate away.

Reflect:

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how many times do you find yourself wishing for more time each day?
• Would you consider yourself a wise steward of your time? Why, or why not?
• When was the last time you asked God how He wants you to use the time in your day? Take time to pray through your calendar and ask: Is there anything I need to start doing or stop doing?