By Karen O’Connor:
As we fret about undone items on our to-do lists, is helps to consider God’s perspective on productivity.
Clock image courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
As I flip my kitchen calendar to a new month, I’m reminded of the many things still undone from last month––emails that were never written, articles still in outline form, flowers that need tending, and drawers and cabinets crying for an ordering hand.
Shall I transfer these leftover tasks to the clean, unspoiled page before me, or shall I drop them and start fresh? Time––if only there were more of it––or more energy to accomplish my goals in the time I do have. What I really need to do is find God’s perspective on productivity.
Our culture is inundated with time management tools––date books, pocket calendars, wrist watches with built-in alarms, beepers for belt or handbag, smart phones, books, computer programs, and seminars on how to save, spend, invest, maximize, and catch time before it flies away.
But what if time was not so much the fleeting, tyrannizing resource we are taught to believe it is? What if, instead, we chose to view time as an expression of God? A part of His very nature. Would we then be so anxious to live by deadlines, join the morning rat race, or grab a minute and run with it?
Wouldn’t we, instead, be moved to rethink and perhaps reshape the way we use time? Perhaps our goal would be stewardship––not management. As stewards we might be more open to the purposes set down by the Chief Steward.
Time spent with family, with a sick friend, with a homeless person, with a man or woman celebrating a special occasion, is truly an expression of God’s love and may be more productive than completing a career goal. When we find God’s perspective on productivity there is plenty of time for work and play, and ministry and rest––as we weave the threads of our allotted time into a tapestry of eternal significance.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8, NIV Bible)
Enjoy this inspiring YouTube video on God’s perspective regarding productivity.
©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com, on Facebook, or follow on Twitter @karenoconnor.
