If only I had more time…

Do you ever find yourself wishing there were more hours in the day? Sometimes it seems like there is simply too much to do in the amount of time we are given. If your days look like mine, they can be filled with up to 19 hours of working. Yep, I said 19 hours. Those days are really rough, not because I work so long or that my work is particularly overwhelming, but because I don’t have the time to engage in other activities I would like to. I would far rather spend more time out doing something with my wife.

What about when a project or an assignment comes due? Sure, you’ve had plenty of time to work on it, but maybe you haven’t given it all the thought and time it deserved and now you’re struggling to get finished in time. Your laziness has put you in a situation where time is a luxury not to be squandered.

On the long term basis, have you ever met (or are you) someone who knows they are nearing the age of retirement? I can tell you that those who I have met definitely feel like there is not enough time to get their finances in order to live out the remainder of their days with dignity.

Maybe you’ve been meaning to get in shape for that marathon you’re planning on running. The problem? The marathon is next week and you’ve only worked your way up to running 5 or 6 miles. This is another case where you haven’t used the time you have had, so now what?

Let me offer one more example: Imagine it is the end of your life and you know you haven’t given all that you are to your Creator. Opportunities have presented themselves to you on countless occasions, but you have ignored them and it is too late to grow in, let alone share, the love of God. What could be more tragic? When God asks you why you haven’t responded to his invitations, what will you say? What do you say right now?

The sad reality of all these thoughts is that time is finite. Once a minute is gone, it cannot be taken back.

And might I point out that today is a special day. It is the changing of daylight savings time. While time is finite, most of you have been given an extra hour to live today. How did you use it? Did you squander it watching another hour of TV or did you make it count. My use of the hour, while not exciting, was very valuable. I used it to sleep and rest in preparation for the week ahead.

So take a moment, enjoy where you are, and look to the future. Be decisive and take action. Don’t let your time slip away and live to regret your decisions.

Photo by TonyVC.