The Commodity of Time

168

24

7

50

Just a bunch of numbers at first blush, but actually each one represents a treasured 'hour' value.

The first is how many hours each of us get in a week's time.

The second is obviously how many hours we get each day.

The third is an arbitrary number we are encouraged to target for our daily sleep time.

The last is an average number that most folks have to work. Admittedly some folks work less and some work much more per week. Nevertheless, the notion that time is a commodity that we are given to use in the economy of our lives is the focus of this musing.

Perhaps folks have said it and I wasn't hearing it. I am discovering the older I get the more time seems to be picking up speed and flying by with no regard to how many things I want to accomplish. Maybe you have already come to this realization. In fact, in retrospect, I am certain I have had people mention their disdain with this issue of time slipping away from them. Now, I am becoming more sensitive to this phenomenon.

The simplicity of life is always confounded and confused with a sense that we must be running 150 miles an hour to finish all of our tasks and then look for more things to do. Productivity is good and being able to point to some finished project does give us a sense of purpose and accomplishment. For me, I struggle with a balance between being productive and being harried to complete 100 tasks.

The psalmist, as always, hits the nail squarely on the head. There is no glancing blow or bent nail. The point is driven home.

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Each day we experience is a gift of 24 hours for eating, sleeping, working, living, and loving. When we are cognizant of boundaries and balance in these areas, purpose and productivity are a given. When lines get blurred between working, resting, living, and loving then unrest takes center stage.

Stress rises. Frustrations mount. Expectations are unfulfilled. Quality of life diminishes. Ultimately, deterioration of our body, mind, and soul occurs.

Each of us have different views of what is important in our lives. We all must determine what activities will charge our batteries and restore our souls to peak efficiency. Beginning each day with a God connection is akin to plugging in a dead cell phone to refresh the battery. Without taking time to replenish our soul, the day will become a train wreck waiting to happen. Are you taking time to value each hour, whether awake, asleep, working, resting, living, or loving? I hope so, since a heart of wisdom awaits those who do.

"A Musing Pastor"