When we look at the life of Jesus there are some observations we can make that can help us in our use of time. One main observation is that once time is gone, it is gone. This is what makes time precious.
Generally, as a culture, we are obsessed with time. We judge people based on what they can produce in a certain amount of time. We struggle in the tension of handling our time wisely. For all of us our values and wants are usually the driving force as to how we use our time.
As we look at the life of Jesus there are five things, to start, that can help us with our own time management.
1. Jesus is not rushed
Jesus seems to never be in a big rush to go anywhere. He knows where he needs to go but he seems to take his time. As he goes to where he needs to, he gives what we might call today margin.
As you read through the bible you will often see that God is not in a hurry. He often may not take what we think is the most efficient route.
God is not concerned about our perceived speed of time, but instead how we use that time.
2. Jesus gives time for people and sometimes just one person.
In the gospel of John chapter 4, he spends a long time speaking and investing in just one person. He also seems to spend more time with smaller groups of people rather than with larger groups. He spent more time with the 12,for example, then he did with the 120, and even among the 12 he spent more time with three. Yet even in the midst of that focused time, he still allowed others in. As he walked along the road he listened to those who crossed his path and gave them his time.
3. Jesus accepted interruptions.
In Mark 6 the Apostles come and report back after a training mission. Jesus shares they need rest and so they get in a boat and cross the lake. However, a large group of people end up following them and meet them on the other side. All they wanted was to find rest and be quite for some time but these people have interrupted them. As we look at the life of Christ, we see him use interruption as potential God opportunities. He uses this moment to teach and serve that crowd.
4. Jesus understood seasons of time and rhythms
As flip through the gospels, we see Jesus in moments of craziness with lots of people and moments of him just with himself. He would often pull away to get rest and take care of his own soul. There were times for being generous with his time, and time for taking care of his own life.
5. Focused
In Mark 1:36 Simon (Peter) comes to find Jesus and says “everyone is looking for you!”
Listen to his reply, “let us go somewhere else-to the nearby village-so I can preach there also. ”
Jesus knew what God called him to do. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to be good Christians and helping everyone and doing all kinds of good work with our time that we miss what Jesus is asking us to do. Sometimes, like Peter, have expectations or listen to the expectations of parents, others, friends, culture and we do not live lives worthy of our calling.
Jesus was generous with his time, but in a way, was also ruthless with his time. I do not like the word ruthless because it means no compassion and Jesus had compassion. Jesus was focused, sometimes at the expense of not healing everyone. Did you notice that Jesus did not help everyone in that moment? He focused in on what God called him to do for that season, and did not worry about what others expected him to accomplish.
What is one thing you can take from the life of Jesus on how he used his time?
P.S.
One extra – Jesus practised a Sabbath rest. More to come on that later.