• Privacy and Disclosure Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Jennifer Hayes Yates

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Faith in Christ
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Schedule
  • The FOCUSED 15 Challenge

How You Spend Your Time Matters

October 18, 2017 By Jennifer H. Yates Leave a Comment

18 Oct
How You Spend Your Time Matters

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future.

Well, I guess you would have to be old like me to recognize the lyrics from a 1976 song by Steve Miller Band, but those lyrics keep playing in my head.

We like to think we are in control of so many things in this world today, including what we do with our time. And, of course, we are. To an extent. I have the same twenty-four hours in a day that you have. How I choose to spend them is mostly up to me, until something happens that is completely out of my control.

Then the best laid plans are out the window.

Three years ago, I had a little accident that laid me up for a few days. Everything on my calendar got put on the back burner. Before I was completely recovered, my mother-in-law went in for a routine surgery on Monday. She took her last breath that Friday.

She had plans that she never got to, probably things left unsaid. She had prepared for her recovery time by buying the Boost and Ensure that she would have to drink following the surgery. She had packed the clothes that she would wear home from the hospital.  She had enlisted our help in the days following the surgery when she would be unable to drive.

Do you get what I’m saying?

She never got to do any of those things.

God is opening my eyes to how fragile time is. Every second that goes by is another moment that has passed. What am I doing with those moments?

These things have caused me to truly think about what is important. If we thought this were our last time to see someone we loved on this earth, what would we say to them? If we knew how urgent the time is, how would we spend our moments?

Would we waste time on things that have no eternal impact, or would we be more intentional about loving others, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples?

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”

Hosea 10:12, NIV

This Scripture was pointing to a future time when Jesus would come as the Messiah and go to the cross and obtain righteousness for all through His blood. However, the principle for us is the same: It is time to seek the Lord.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,

‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

I don’t know how much time you have left on this earth, and neither do you. But I do know what is important about those moments: only those things that touch eternity.

“As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”

Psalm 103:15-16

This life is so short compared to eternity. What are we doing with our time? How are we spending those moments in a way that will impact eternity?

If you only had today, how would you spend it? Would you waste hours on social media or television? Would you spend your moments on shopping for more stuff? Would you be too nervous to share the gospel with a friend or family member who is lost?

Or would you be more intentional about loving people and telling them what Jesus has done in your life?

The Lord has convicted me over the last few weeks of how much time I waste, how much time I spend on fear and worry, how much time I spend building my kingdom, instead of His.

We don’t know what tomorrow holds. Time is, indeed, slipping, slipping, slipping into the future. Who needs your forgiveness? Who needs your testimony? Who needs your time, your presence, your words of encouragement?

My mother-in-law was not only prepared for her surgery, but she was prepared for her eternity. She gave her life in service to the Lord. In her last days, our cousin–wanting to be sure–asked her if she was sure that she would go to heaven. She never even hesitated in her reply: Yes!

If you don’t know the Lord in a real and personal way, please know that the time is short and the days are evil. Don’t put off the greatest decision that you will ever make. Jesus Christ will change your life and make it all that it was intended to be.

My life was only a shadow of real love, real joy, and real peace before I came to Jesus. He has completely changed my life and made me whole and complete. Do bad things still happen? Sure. I have accidents and get hurt. I lose loved ones. I make mistakes. But I have the love, joy, and peace of God to help me through those things.

We still live in a fallen world where evil prevails. A perfect world where bad things never happen is called heaven. And there’s only one way to get there.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”

John 14:5

You want to know how to make the most of your time? Give it all to Jesus. Surrender your life completely to Him and let Him have His way. Seek the Lord every day of your life and follow hard after Him. Wake up each day and ask Him what He wants you to do with your moments.

“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.”

Psalm 31:14-15b

What you do with your time matters. Place your times–your every moment–in God’s hands. Don’t wait. Do it now. Put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

SHARE THIS:

123shares
  • Facebook 23
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: Christian devotional, Gospel, How to Make the Most of Your Time, Jennifer H Yates, kingdom work, missions, one thing, quiet time, religion vs. relationship, time

« It’s Time to Step Out
How to Grow in Wisdom and Discernment »

About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey, friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends.

I've found that many women struggle to find time and focus to grow their relationship with God through studying His Word. I encourage and challenge women with practical strategies and helpful resources for quality study in as little as fifteen minutes a day.

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Advertisement

Latest on Instagram

jenniferhyates

jenniferhyates


We all have a place in the Kingdom. ⁠
⁠
Click

We all have a place in the Kingdom. ⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel--the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-4, NIV).
All of Scripture, all of history, all of time has been about Jesus Christ, Son of God. 
Do you know Him? You can. His life, death, and resurrection are historical fact. All so that you could know Him and have eternal life.
Jesus loves you! ❤

"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee fo
"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Luke 23:55-56).
Can you imagine the horror these women had witnessed? Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others had followed Jesus and helped support his ministry (Luke 8:3).
Now all their hopes had been crushed as they stood at a distance and witnessed Jesus' agonizing death on the cross (Luke 23:49). His own mother had to stand by helplessly as her son cried out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
As we women often do, they looked for a way to still serve Him, even in His death, by preparing His body for burial. Sometimes, it's the little things.
When our hearts are breaking and we think we can't take another breath, sometimes we need something in our hands--a burial spice, a casserole, a text that says I'm here.
We can't make the hurt go away, but we can channel it into something useful, something hopeful, something comforting.
As they rested on the Sabbath, I'm sure they anticipated the opportunity to see Him one more time, to minister to Him once more with the spices and perfumes they had prepared.
Hearts crushed, hands open.
Grieved but grateful. Resting but ready.
Because if there was anything they knew for sure, it's that Jesus was no ordinary man. And when hearts are turned toward Him, anything can happen.

God never called us to “blind” faith. We may b
God never called us to “blind” faith. We may believe without seeing, but faith is being sure and certain of what we don’t see, not what we don’t know. ⁠
The Israelites had historical facts on which to base their faith. That’s why God constantly told them to remember what He had done and tell it to their children. Their faith was in what they knew to be true, even though they didn’t always see it with their own eyes. ⁠
We, too, have facts on which to base our faith. The Bible is historically accurate and verified. If ever we needed to know what we believe, it’s now.⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like mo
It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like most women, when I do get still, my mind is still going 90 mph. I’m so distracted by all the preparations for the day. Sounds a little like Martha, who, by the way, is the one who invited Jesus over in the first place. But like Martha, I have felt the Lord’s gentle rebuke. He wants me at His feet. And really, that’s where I want to be. It’s not about time and focus. It’s about heart and desire. The rest will come. ❤️ #growingyourfaith #jesusfirst #wordbeforeworld #seekhimfirst #javawithjesus #womenintheword

Do you really want to grow your faith? What we fee
Do you really want to grow your faith? What we feed the most is what grows the most. 🍽️⁠
⁠
What are you feeding?⁠
⁠
Click the link in my bio to read this week's post.⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus ⁠


Load More...


Follow on Instagram


This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT