Time Is Weird: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your 24 Hours

Let's talk about something that has fascinated and puzzled humanity for centuries: time. Isn't time weird? It can feel like it drags on forever and yet flies by in the blink of an eye. If you're a parent, you probably know this feeling all too well. One moment you're cradling a newborn, and the next, you're watching them graduate high school. How does this happen so quickly?

Let's dive into this fascinating topic and explore how understanding time and managing it can help us align with God's purpose.

Time: Fast and Slow

Time is one of those concepts that can feel both fast and slow. One day, it feels like it took ages to get through, and the next, you're wondering where all the hours went. Imagine having a child who just graduated high school; it felt like a long journey, yet it went by in a snap.

I still feel young—I shouldn't have an adult child, right? But here I am.

Time is crazy like that. When you're having fun, time flies. But when you're stuck in traffic or at a stoplight, it feels like the clock has stopped ticking. Funny thing is, time is always the same: 24 hours a day, every day. Isn't it wild that we all have the same amount of time, from professional athletes to famous actors and even Jesus and His disciples?

The Great Equalizer: 24 Hours

Everyone shares the same 1440 minutes each day. Sometimes, they look at successful people and wonder, where did all their time go? What did they do with their time? But here's the thing—they genuinely believe God can help manage time.

Scripture is full of wisdom about time; today, that's the focus. But here's the key takeaway: God doesn’t intend for us to live this way. He wants to help us manage our time better.

God assigned a purpose for each of us, knowing our time limits.

Point 1: You Have Enough Time for God's Purpose

You have enough time to do everything God wants you to do. When God created you, He knew precisely how much time you would have. He assigned a purpose for each of us, knowing our time limits. So, stop asking for more time. Instead, examine how you spend the time you already have.

Let's start with a fun exercise: check your iPhone's screen time. It's a great indicator of where your time might be going. Browsing social media can easily consume hours we could use for prayer or meditating on God's Word.

Psalm 31:14-15 says, "Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God! Hour by hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me."

Perhaps our schedules are out of control because we're trying to manage our time without inviting God into it.

Point 2: Saying No to Say Yes

"Saying no" gives you the ability to say "yes" to more important things. We often feel societal pressure to fill our schedules with activities. We see what others are doing and feel we should do the same.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 (NIV) stated that, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live."

Use these qualifiers—if something doesn’t make you happy or isn’t doing good, consider saying no. We have to discern what's important for our current season of life. Remember, God's plan is for us to be happy and to do good.

Point 3: God Can Bend Time

God can bend time in your favor. While He won't add more minutes to your day, He can make your time feel stretched and more productive.

The book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young captures this beautifully:

"Trust me enough to spend ample time with me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to me, the King of the Universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor."

Point 4: God Is Always On Time

Let's reflect on how timely God is. He doesn't always respond when we expect Him to, but He is always on time. When Jesus was told Lazarus was sick, He waited three days before going to him—five miles away! Why? Because His intention was not just to heal but to perform a miracle.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) mentioned, "As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

We often want God to solve our problems instantly, but sometimes He wants to perform a miracle that requires us to create margin in our lives for Him to operate.

Point 5: The Time is Now

Finally, now is the time to act. Some of us wait for a perfect moment to start living for God, but the best time is now.

In John 3:16 (NIV) states that, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

To wrap this up, here are five specific actions we can take right now to align with God's purpose:

Worship God Daily: Every day should be a day of worship.
Fellowship with Others: Build relationships within your community.
Grow Spiritually: Commit to being more spiritually fit each day.
Serve Others: Use your resources to care for others.
Share Your Faith: Be a light and witness to those around you.

Normal is overrated. Let's aim to be 'weird,' suggesting something supernatural—a life where God's purpose and our daily actions align beautifully.

Be Weird!

The conventional way of living often leaves us exhausted, overworked, and stressed. But here's the truth: Normal is overrated! Embrace a unique, almost supernatural approach. When others observe how you navigate life with God's guidance, they'll witness something extraordinary. Infuse the supernatural into your daily routine by dedicating your time to God.

Let’s stand together today and commit to giving our time to God, inviting Him into our schedules, and letting Him guide us in every decision. Remember, now is the time for salvation and transformation. Don’t wait. Let God take control of your time and watch the miracles happen.

By inviting God into your daily schedule, you can unlock the divine purpose He has for your 24 hours. As you walk this journey, remember to breathe, take things one step at a time, and keep your eyes on Him. Together, let's strive to lead lives that not only fulfill us but bring glory to God.