The matter of time has really been on my mind the last few days. Over the weekend I was again made aware of the changes that time brings to families and life in general. My family went to visit my grandparents last weekend for my youngest brother’s birthday. When I was younger my family was always able to travel together; however, since my siblings and I have gotten older, one of us usually have had to stay at home because of work or school. During their last trip, only three out of the six kids were able to visit my grandparents. This is just evidence of the inevitable change that time brings. Within the next ten years, it would not be surprising if even my youngest brother was living away from home. The knowledge that things will never be the same is very saddening to me.

Time is one of the few things we can never earn more of. The amount of time that we are given is without the option for increase, we are merely able to choose how we use our time. Do we waste our time or do we take full advantage of the time we have?

I will admit, I frequently use my time poorly on insignificant things. At the end of my life, or even five years from now is it really going to matter whose Facebook status I read, or what strange article on Yahoo I allowed to consume my attention for a few moments? I don’t think so. In the years to come, I am fairly certain that the things that will be the most important to me are my relationship with God, and my time spent with my family.

It’s so easy, especially while I am at CBC, to become too “busy” to spend personal time with God. My studies are primarily Biblical, there’s prayer before every class, I attend chapel every day, and church on Sundays. My schedule is filled with a focus on God and His Word, but there is a problem if I allow my time with God to remain on the “required” level and never bring my focus to a personal level. If the time spent with God is only a requirement, not only will I not have a true relationship with God, but as soon as the requirement is gone, where does my time with God go?

Psalm 90:12 (NLT) says, “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Without making the most of my time and setting aside personal time with God, my wisdom might increase, but it wouldn’t grow. I’m convinced that it is imperative for me to use my time more wisely so that I don’t feel too busy to spend time with my Heavenly Father who always loves for me to give my time to Him.