It’s Time: 7 Time Management Strategies to Take Back Your Calendar, Reduce Overwhelm, and Flourish on Purpose a 7-Day Plan by Najah DrakesSample

Day 2: Is Ecclesiastes 3:1 Really True?

Within seven years, I married the love of my life, became a bonus mom, moved halfway across the country, birthed four sons, accepted a position as a Chief Financial Officer, and began writing my first book.

Daily, I rushed to feed my kids, bolted out of my house (usually late), then sped from the carpool line to the fast food line. After scoring a coveted parking spot, I sprinted to my office and greeted everyone with a smile, never forgetting to ask about their families and lives while I struggled to tend to mine.

No one would have guessed that the impeccably dressed, 5'11" woman of stature was crumbling on the inside. Nobody saw it, but the ones who loved me felt it.

I was so determined to do it all that I did not realize I was slowly losing my physical, mental, emotional, family, and marital health.

My need to keep up with the speed of life led to never-ending things-to-do lists and an unhealthy relationship with time.

When I finally set aside a purposeful moment to sit quietly in God's presence, I heard, "sloooooooooooooow down."

Truthfully, I knew what to do, but I had no idea how to do it.

How could a mom of 5 with a million demands slow down?

I never had enough time, and the time that I did have was always running out.

But, is it possible to believe there is never enough time and "a time and a season for everything under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)?

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we find more than an aggregation of verses - we find a mindset.

A mindset that says the time God has given us to handle the responsibilities He assigned to us is just right.

Before we can flourish within the life God has given us, we must align our concept of time with God's intentions. The time God has given you to complete His will is always sufficient.

When you find yourself running out of time, remember you get to decide if you want to believe the lie that you do not have enough time or not.

Prayer:

Lord, help me change my unhealthy relationship with time. Remind me that I have enough time for what You have called me to do and enough grace for everything that remains undone.

Journal Prompt:

Do you believe God is calling you to speed up and try to do more, or slow down and do what matters most?