MASTERING THE TIME

Time is an important creation of God that is often taken for granted. Genesis 1:5, "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first days"

Time is not man-made, therefore in mastering time, there is a need to know and see time the way God sees it from the beginning. In the present world today, time is measured scientifically in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years. But, according to the scripture, time is measured in the amount of darkness and light as seen in Genesis 1:5. This simply implies that irrespective of the hour, minute and seconds, God is mostly concerned about the quantity of darkness and light available in a day. 

What is referred to as light and darkness?

Light can be interpreted as good, and darkness, as evil. Good is always associated with God, while darkness is synonymous with Satan. When we look at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the Bible clearly shows that there is time for everything whether good or bad. Both are visibly present on an equal basis on earth and man deed is put into account according to his work shall be whether good or evil.

The world measures man's activity on earth according to how many years spent on earth; and so, it is usually engraved on people's graves at the cemetery for instance as "1900 - 1990". But, God measures man's activity on earth according to his work whether good or bad regardless of how many years that could have been spent. The truth is that you could live for hundreds of years on earth; God is only concerned about the nature of work carried out by you.

Look at what Jesus says in John 9:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" 

Why did God create time? 

God actually created time for the purpose of accountability. Genesis 1:5, put to account how the works of God was measured at the beginning, giving room for the work of creation to be measured in a number of days. God accounted for the creation of the earth and so He wants us to be accounted for everything we do on earth. 

Time is actually created for the purpose of accountability, how do you account for the time apportioned you here on earth?

As human beings on earth, whether Christian or unbelievers, we all have 24 hrs. in a day; every time spent here on earth must be accounted for but how do you spend your time? 

There are light and darkness altogether to make a day, which side are you?

Do you actually know what it means to master time according to God's perspective? 

• This can be interpreted as having a good knowledge and understanding of the time.  

1 Chronicle 12:32, "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;" The children of Issachar had the understanding of time and what was expected of Israel to do at that time according to the timing. Now, do you have an understanding of what God is expecting you to do today? Are you aware this is the end time and certain knowledge is required of you to maximize your time? Psalm 90:12, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom"

• Mastering the time can also be interpreted as redeeming the time or harnessing the time for the good purpose of God.

Ephesians 5:15-16, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil"

The time apportioned to us is a capital to trade with, and as wise individuals, it is expected of us to trade with it profitably. According to the above-quoted scripture, the bible concluded that the days are evil, which is a clear indication that darkness has taken over the whole day and no room is given for a light to shine again. And, Jesus equally said in Matthew 6:34, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” Indeed, there is no light in the world again. More time has been given to the perpetration of evil acts rather than good. Men do not have time for good works again. However, as a child of the light, you can choose to redeem such time for evil to do good and harness it for the divine purpose of God on earth. You could have been wrongly dealt with, perhaps you were punished for a sin not committed, you could have been owed, blamed, cheated and embittered; you can redeem the time by determining not to pay evildoers in their own coin.

   

What does God want you to do with the time apportioned to you here on earth?

1.      Time spent without Jesus is regarded as waste; therefore, surrender your life to Jesus.

Acts 17:30, And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent”

2 Corinthians 6:2, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

2.      He wants you to be a source of pleasure to Him. (Worship)

Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created”

The Bible says you were planned for God's pleasure, and you bring God pleasure when you worship him. Worship here does not mean the type we do in the church where we sing and lift up holy hands; worship is not synonymous to singing songs but doing the will of God. Obedience to the word of God is the highest form of worship. Endeavour to be a source of pleasure to God.

3.     He wants us to spend our time partaking in the family affair. (Fellowship)

Ephesians 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will”

You were formed for a family and that family on earth is called the church. When we come together as a family and as a member of the body of Jesus Christ, this brings God so much pleasure. Fellowship of the church is your responsibility and it is mandatory that you spend your time partaking in the family affair.

4.      He wants us to spend our time in the likeness of Jesus Christ. (Discipleship)

Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren”

You were created to be like Christ, to grow up in Him, to mature, and that's called discipleship. It will be a waste if you choose to live your lives just as you like and not in the likeness of Christ. It is important therefore that you release yourself to be tutored and trained in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

5.      He wants us to spend our time serving Him. (Ministry)

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”

You were shaped for service - God wired you in a unique way to make a contribution. You weren't put on this earth just to take up space and breath and die. You were put on this earth to make a contribution. And that's called your ministry.

6.      He wants us to spend our time carrying out His divine mission to the world. (Mission)

The reason you are here on earth is that you were made for a mission.

John 17:18, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so, have I also sent them into the world”

The truth is that every child of God has been called into a mission and the mission is to the world. You must reach out to the unbelievers, a good percentage of your time must be spent reaching out to the world. When it is carried out in the church, it is a ministry. But, when it is done outside the church, it is a mission. Be encouraged to get involved in the mission today.