Using summer vacation to plan your time...

In his new book, Time for Every Thing?, Matt Fuller suggests using the second half of your summer vacation to review how you and your family are using your time—to make sure you’re living sustainably, rather than just surviving from year to year. Here’s how:

For most of us, there is no end of demands on our time. So you have to make time to work out how best to use the time you do have time; and you need to do this regularly. An annual “state of the union” is a sensible thing to do, because commitments will vary over time, as will your own capacity.

This is also something that is much easier to do with someone else. Who is there that can honestly help you assess your choices and commitments? You need some people who understand the multiple claims upon your time, and who are also wanting to maximize their own usefulness to Jesus.

When I’m retired and sit in my rocking chair, what will I be most delighted that I gave my time to?

For married couples, the back half of a vacation is often a good time to take stock. When you’ve relaxed and are not irritated with one another, discussions tend to be more reasonable. Yet if there are big decisions to be made, don’t make them simply inside your marriage. Often the outside perspective of people you trust is enormously helpful.

For those who are single, the counsel of prayer partners or good Christian friends, combined with the advice of a godly older Christian brother or sister, is priceless. When there is no one under the same roof suggesting to you that life is out of kilter, you do need to be honest with others if their counsel is to be of any use.

The important things are to choose how you spend the time, rather than being always at the mercy of events; to be liberated to say “no” as well as “yes”; to be obedient in all the circumstances God has called you to, and to avoid turning any of those gifts into idols.

Taking a step back and analyzing why we are pulled around so much by the demands on our time is crucial. But when you do this, don’t forget to ask the bigger questions that make sure you’re not wasting time on the wrong things. The reality of eternity must shape our life here and now as much as the ticking clock does. So be asking:

• Am I using my time and gifts to grow the kingdom of Jesus?
• When I’m retired and sit in my rocking chair, what will I be most delighted that I gave my time to?

All our time belongs to the Lord. He doesn’t ask us to do every thing; but he does call us to do what we can. And when we do, he says: They have done a beautiful thing.

All our time belongs to the Lord. He doesn’t ask us to do every thing; but he does call us to do what we can.

Whenever we draw breath as a couple or a family and have a “state of the union” conversation about how we’re using our time, we begin with the wonderful closing words of Psalm 90 v 17:
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Could that be something you pray this summer?

Want to start proactively planning how you use your time? Start by pre-ordering a copy of Matt Fuller’s forthcoming book: Time for Every Thing? How to be busy without feeling burdened.

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