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Living Life in Rhythm
It always seems that there is not enough time in the day to get everything done. I have always been a person who tries to squeeze too much into the given hours of a day.
I’ve always heard the statement that “Everyone gets the same amount of hours in a day; it’s just how we choose to use them!”
I used to be discouraged by that, because I couldn’t imagine how I could do anymore than I was doing—and it still seemed that I couldn’t get as much done as other people.
Over time, I have realized that it takes a lifetime to accomplish all that God has for a person to accomplish. And it takes a rhythm of life that honors the Lord.
When we put our relationship with Him first, and keep the relationships that are closest to us strong and well, then we can be equipped to do all that He has called us to do and to be.
Recently, I made a big discovery, as I diligently asked the Lord to help me with getting everything accomplished in my schedule. It seemed as if my routines were effective to some degree, but there was no room for growth or expansion. But the Lord answered and impressed upon my heart to change things up a bit, and with it came a whole new way of operating.
The new discovery for me was to begin to operate in “Blocks” of time, with certain goals and deadlines for each block.
In the morning, I have two blocks, the first block is 8-10, and the second block is 10-12. In the afternoon, after a 30 minute break for lunch, I have two more blocks, early afternoon, 12:30-2:30, with a 30 minute afternoon break from 2:30-3:00, then the last block of the work day, late afternoon, 3:00-5:00.
At 5 p.m. I begin to prepare for dinner, and we eat together as a family and clean up from dinner, from 6:00-7:00. We then have another two-hour block from 7-9 for recreation, study, or family time, before the children go to bed. The block of time from 9-11 is also available to prepare for the next day, or whatever is needed.
I realize that every family has time commitments and schedules that vary to their unique situations. But for our family, we have been able to make this work effectively for everyone, and have been able to hit the “highs” of everyone’s list, when it comes to getting everything accomplished in a given day and a given week!
I was even able to put daily exercise into the schedule, along with daily prayer, Bible reading and spending some meaningful and refreshing time in the presence of the Lord. I have long chosen my daily spiritual devotion over my physical exercise, but now I have been able to regularly and consistently maintain both.
Somehow before, I was concerned that I didn’t have enough time, and that I should be using my time for more productive things, or that time would get away from me.
Now, I just do what I need to do in those blocks, and trust the Lord with the rest! And He has been faithful to bless my desires to be both efficient and effective!
I have noticed that time wasters are such things as: 1) regret 2) indecision 3) complaining 4) arguing 5) getting my point across 6) worry, and 7) guilt.
I have learned that time definers are: 1) staying connected with the Holy Spirit to discern God’s will 2) rejoicing always in each day and circumstance by finding the good 3) offering thanks to the Lord continually for every small and great thing 4) listening to the direction the Lord gives 5) loving fully 6) considering others and having their best interest at heart 7) saying yes to the right things and no to the unnecessary things.
This allows us to do life in rhythm, a pace that is easy and light, a pace that is full of grace and room for margin and error, and room for God to lead us, and room for us to follow.
It allows time for what’s important, more than merely what is urgent. It allows time for hearing the heartbeat of God, which is time spent with Him, and loving Him with all our hearts, souls, mind and strength—and recognizing that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and making it a priority to use some of our time to honor Him with it.
When we balance our days we are doing what scripture exhorts us to do when it says, “Teach us (Lord) to number our days.”
And of course, rest is needed as well. God rested on the Sabbath and he made the Sabbath for us to rest from our labors as well!
May you find His strength and wisdom as you seek to do life in rhythm!
Copyright © 2008-2015 Debbie Reynolds Harper
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