“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:”  Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Don’t you just love Daylight Saving Time?  If not, know that people are almost evenly divided in their like or dislike of this semi-annual practice. Some people say it is like jet lag, only without the fun trip part.  Others, like me, really like having more daylight at the end of the day.  Here are some interesting facts you might not know:

• It’s Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight Savings
• It was not created by Benjamin Franklin but was first introduced in 1918 as a means to conserve resources during World War I. In 1774, Franklin did, however, propose waking people up earlier as a way to save candles.
• DST is not observed in Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, or the Virgin Islands.
• According to the U.S. Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, crime is down 10-13% during Daylight Saving Time (perhaps a good reason to keep it year-round).
• Daylight Saving Time is used in over 70 countries around the world.

Time is the universal resource; every human being has the same amount each day (except, of course, those who die before midnight, but let’s not spit hairs).  In our modern society, time has become compressed, yet, there never seems to be enough of it for the things we want to do.  One of the most common excuses for not doing a particular thing is, “I didn’t have the time.”  Despite the vast research and teaching that have been devoted to time management, or how to plan and exercise conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity in the workplace, most of us still struggle with time.

The Bible teaches that we need to surrender everything to God, including our time. When we submit our priorities and goals to God, we are able to evaluate and focus our attention on areas that matter most. According to Stephen Covey, the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, “the essence of effective time and life management is to organize and execute around priorities.” So what are you priorities in life?  I think there are really only two:  God first, family second.  When we get those right, all the others will fall into place.  That is what the writer of Ecclesiastes (probably King Solomon) is telling us.

The issue with time management is not the lack of discipline. The problem is that our priorities have not been deeply planted in our hearts and minds. It is essential to prayerfully and carefully search the Scriptures and to evaluate our priorities.. It’s a process. Don’t get disappointed and give up when you don’t see any immediate results. Be patient with yourself. It takes integrity and sincerity. You may have to get a daily planner or use Outlook or your cell phone calendar. Also, learn to delegate certain responsibilities.  Work smarter not harder. Learn to say “no” when it’s appropriate. Don’t get overwhelmed when making changes in your schedule. You can only do so much. Evaluate your progress, make improvements and be consistent. Remember, each day is a gift from God that offers the opportunity for us to make a difference.  Be intentional with your priorities and your time.  Use them effectively for God, and He will bless them.

Prayer:  Loving God, Creator of all that is, You are not bound by time, yet, you gave it to us as a gift to measure our journey in this life.  Help us with our priorities, and free us from becoming slaves to time.  AMEN.

Fr. Steve +