It’s that time of year when we all take stock in our lives.  We look at the things we did in the last year and the things we did not do.  

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 states, “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; …”. 

 “Time; all we have is time.” 

 My husband makes this comment to me at least once a week.  

You see, I’m one of those people who get in a big rush about everything.  I don’t enjoy the journey because I’m in such a hurry to see the finish line.  

The song by Chicago comes to mind – “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”  

The fact is, I’m always looking at the time trying to hurry things along, when I should have been thinking about the song by the Rolling Stones, – “Time Is on My Side” because during a project that’s when you have the time to enjoy.  

And when I use the term project, I use that very loosely.  A “project” can be anything in your life; raising children, being a friend, becoming a Disciple, losing weight, etc. 

 Most people, when it comes to their projects, think of the Jim Croce song “Time in a Bottle”.  They think they can uncork the bottle, pull out some time, and cork it back up. But the in-between times is like the song by the Eagles – “Wasted Time”.  At the end of their life, they will be singing the song by Cher – “If I Could Turn Back Time”. 

 In Psalm 90:12 it states: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom”.  

And then in Ephesians 5:16 – “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” 

 I wondered about this scripture.  Why would it matter if you used your time wisely because there is evil?  My research told me it is because we will get caught up in evil if we don’t put ourselves to a Godly occupation.  Satan will occupy your thoughts and habits if you don’t discipline yourself to do things that are good and right.  

As the old saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. 

 In James 4:14 it says, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”  

So, if your life goes down the road of evil, then you will be singing the Led Zepplin song – “Your Time is Gonna Come”.  

Yes, I know we have seasons in our lives where we are better versions of ourselves, so we should be singing the Zombies song – “Time of the Season”, or the Prince song, “Sign ’O the Times”.  

But when we get in those seasons that are not honoring God, we should be singing the Tom Petty song, “Time to Move On”.  

And don’t sing the song by the Outsiders – “Time Won’t Let Me”.  

You are in control of your time, so make a plan.  

God will be there for us in our times of need, as it states in Ephesians 1:10, – “As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  

So, as you plan your goals for this upcoming year, remember to put God in your plans, and give Him your time.

 

Karen Y. Stevens is the founder of Orange County Christian Writers Guild