Short Thought - How Are Others Using Your Time?

 

"A man who has nothing to do with his own time has

no conscience in his intrusion on that of others."

Jane Austen

Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

Sometimes when we really need to get things done we may need to avoid people who have no respect for other people's time. Of course, this is not speaking of your children or those for whom you are directly responsible, but those whom you may actually avoid. It can come at us in a lot of ways - text messages that distract us, phone calls, chats online or in the store, family members that interrupt and expect our undivided attention (while not helping with the tasks at hand), etc.

This may sound harsh is some ways, but Jesus did not always allow the multitudes to consume His time. Sometimes He avoided them. We need to be attentive to His leading as to whom we are really meant to communicate with and spend time on, and whom we should avoid in specific circumstances. Sometimes it will even be necessary to excuse yourself so that you can get on with the things that need to be accomplished. Some people find this hard to do and then are stressed because they didn't get something done when it should have been done. Learn to politely, but firmly, disengage when it is necessary. 

I remember my parents struggling with people interruptions sometimes when my dad was a pastor. There were times when it was difficult to know who was really needing help and who was just looking for attention or an ear to monopolize. There were a couple times when my dad had some man coming to him over and over for "help" or to talk out his struggles, but the man never actually did anything my dad told him he should do to resolve things or live more biblically. Eventually I think my dad told both those men that if they weren't going to do the (biblical) things he suggested, then he didn't have time to talk to them.

In John 4 Jesus Christ went out of His way to meet the woman at the well, and yet in Mark 3:31-35 when His own mother and brethren stood outside the group and sent someone in to call Him away, He refused to go - without apology. Mark 3:31-35 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Sometimes family will be the hardest to walk away from, but if they are interrupting things that you know are the Lord's will, you have to do it. It won't be easy, and it may not feel good at the moment, but it's about doing God's will and honoring Him with our time and energy.  

By the way, shoving everyone out of your life so you can do your own thing isn't the answer to interruptions. If you are the one who lacks skills in stepping back graciously at appropriate times, you need to work on that, not just push everyone away. We are called to serve and minister. But, there has to be a balance that is in accordance with God's will. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom if this is something that is a struggle for you.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.