Time vs. Tasks:
Finding the Balance

By Mike Douglas

How many times have you been asked if you would help with some project in your “spare time”? Very possibly your reply was, “What spare time?” Many of us tend to say yes to more commitments than we are able to keep up with. That can create stress, which conflicts with what our Lord had in mind for us when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, . . .” (John 14:27). With an abundance of things to do and limited time to do them in, how do we find a balance? How can we manage well the time that the Lord has given to us?

Look at your roles

Start by considering the roles you fill. Your list may include being a student, father or mother, husband or wife, son or daughter, employer or employee, choir member, Sunday school teacher, citizen of your country, . . . any number of things. If you are not experiencing the peace that God promised, it may be because your many roles keep you too busy.

Begin by limiting the number of roles you take on. Some roles and their accompanying responsibilities we cannot and would not want to change, but others are optional. For example, consider the potential impact on your life before you decide to work a second job, take another college course, or volunteer to help in one more church activity. True, the needs around every church are numerous, and there are rarely enough reliable workers to enlist. Moreover, for God’s children, serving in His house and vineyard are not optional. However, determining which types of activities we should perform, and how often, requires prayer and discernment.

In general, make yourself available to serve where your interests, talents, and experience are greatest. Now, this does not mean that just because you are not interested in sweeping floors you are exempt from helping in that area! It does mean that the time and strength you have available to serve the Lord are best utilized where they can have the greatest impact for His glory.

It has been said that, “the reward of faithful service is more service.” However, it is better to be effective and faithful in a few roles rather than to be involved in many things but inconsistent in performing any of them well. We read in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Check your reasons

Without a doubt, there are many areas of service that could benefit from your commitment, but beware of accepting a responsibility for the wrong reason. Are you looking to receive the admiration of your peers or associates? Be more concerned with what God has in mind for you. If you know that you are involved because God called you to be involved, then you can claim all the resources of Heaven to aid you as you seek to fulfill His will. But if your motive is otherwise, you may find yourself burdened and stressed unnecessarily, as you expend yourself in an area that is not really God’s will for you. Pray in faith that God will guide your plans. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord . . .” That goes for you too, ladies! When you look to Him in all you do, He will help and strengthen you.

Guidelines for success

Following are some guidelines to help you organize your time for God’s glory.

• Look to the Lord daily, asking Him to help you use wisely the time He has given to you. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

• Remember that the hardest part of any task is getting started.

• When doing the work of the Lord, don’t forget the Lord of the work.

• Remember that God does not burn out His servants. “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).

• Keep in mind that people are more important than tasks on a list; so be willing to adapt your schedule.

• Try not to pack your day so full that you could be frustrated if God should send something along that absorbs a bit of your time.

• Nurture the attitude that says, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:15).

When our times are in His hands, we find the peace that He promises!

Michael Douglas is pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church in Richmond,
Virginia.