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 5: "It Was Good."

There is a burger place in Georgia that sells the most amazing key lime custard. With each bite, the distinct flavor explodes in my mouth — tart perfection with the most precise measure of sweetness.

Long after scraping the last crevice, my mind lingers on how good it was.

God shared a similar experience with us in Creation. At the end of each day, God savored the evidence of what He created by saying, "And God saw that it was good."

Interestingly, God took pleasure and delight in His Creation each day even though He still had more work to do, and much of Creation remained undone.

Why?

Because He knew it would all eventually be completed. He was confident that the work He began, He would complete.

The same is true for us. We are promised by a confident Paul that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Yet, many of us end our day with dissatisfaction, doubt, and unfulfillment, feeling like enough is never enough. We struggle to take a moment to enjoy and celebrate the work of our hands. Instead, we allow the seriousness and urgency of life to revoke the gift of enjoyment God graciously grants us.

As we shift our goal from time management to flourishing within the time given to us, God desires us to celebrate what He's allowed us to accomplish and to take time to enjoy it.

Set aside time to enjoy the relationships He's given you.

Get outside and enjoy nature.

Let out that deep belly laugh.

Take a vacation or a day off.

Dance away the weight of the day.

And belt out your favorite song like you have Mariah Carey's vocal range.

God created us not simply to live life but to enjoy it. Open His gift to us by having more fun and enjoying the life He has given to you.

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to let the seriousness of the day prevent me from enjoying the many gifts of life you have bestowed upon me. Help me not to take for granted the gift of enjoyment that You have graciously given me.

Journal Prompt:

How can you purposefully set aside time to enjoy the life God has graciously given you this week?

What can you celebrate that you have accomplished this week?