The phone rings and you answer it. On the other end is a friend who politely identifies him/herself and proceeds to ask you the question: “Got a minute?” It’s almost impossible to say no. I mean who wouldn’t give a minute to a friend, even though you know the minute will not be a minute, more like five, ten, or even more? The point is the door is opened by the brevity of the request. It’s easy to give a minute, of course!
Well, if it works for a friend, why not make it work for yourself. You remember all those things you are procrastinating? You know, the things you put off doing last year, or the things you know you should be doing but the more you think about it the more you are overwhelmed by the largeness of the project so you just put it off some more? You know what I am talking about. Maybe it’s the time of prayer you said you wanted to have each day but haven’t been able to find the “right time.” Maybe it’s the schedule you were going to make but didn’t.
Ephesians 5:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Take advantage of the minutes that are often wasted. Look at the little break as asking yourself, “Got a minute?” Then proceed to make the most use of the little amount of time. Just think if you broke down those things that you may be putting off because you feel you don’t have the time to do them into bite size pieces that could be squeezed into little segments of time. Think of how productive the accumulation of those minutes could be. This is really the key to getting more things done – breaking them down and fitting them into little slots of time.
After all, the Bible is clear about filling the mind, which would apply to our time, with what is good.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV) — 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
When you look at the book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall, you’ll find that Nehemiah and the people of his day made the most of every situation. They allowed nothing to go to waste. Nehemiah began by assessing what he had to work with and what was needed to be done as he rode around the area at night. He then set out a plan to make the most of the people, supplies, and the situation he was given. Why not be like Nehemiah when it comes to accomplishing what you need to do in life?
Take an assessment and break down those bigger projects into little bite size pieces and the next time you have a break in the action of life ask yourself, “got a minute?” Then proceed to make the most of the time.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
