Managing the clock

I could no longer sit.  I jumped up from the sofa and began pacing the floor.  This was a nail biter, for sure.  Finally, my husband had all he could take and stood up to join me.  We glared at the television.  Twelve seconds to go.  This could be it!  This could be the winning play that would propel our beloved Georgia Bulldogs to victory over the defending National Champs.  

With seconds to go, the quarterback, Aaron Murray threw the ball towards the intended receiver.  The ball sailed through the air, only to be tipped by a defender and caught by another receiver on the five yard line where the play ended.

We watched the clock.  5...4...3...2...1...0.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!”  I screamed.

All hopes of heading to the National Championship faded when the time clock read “:00”. 

Five more seconds.  Five more yards. And quite possibly they would have been singing “We are the Champions.” 

But, they were out of chances.  They were out of time.

Maybe they could’ve managed the clock better.  Perhaps Murray should’ve spiked the ball.  We’ll never know.  And, honestly, it doesn’t matter now.  It is what it is.

However, it got me to thinking about how I manage my clock.  A recurring question in my life lately has been, what am I doing with what I’ve been given?  How am I managing the time I’ve been given?

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:16  Redeeming (Greek): Exagorazo:  to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good

Will I get to the end of my life, with just seconds left and regret the way I’ve used my time?  I don’t want to stand before God hashing out all the “what ifs” and “if onlys”.  I want to make the most of every opportunity.

“Every day is filled with countless God-ordained opportunities. Not a day goes by that we don’t have an opportunity to love, and opportunity to serve, an opportunity to give, an opportunity to learn.” - Mark Batterson

Recently, my friend Michele posted the following in her blog....

I never liked the phrase, "I don't have time."  Hearing myself (or someone else) say it rubs me the wrong way.  I always think, "Sure you do.  You are just doing other things with your time."  Sometimes that's okay.  Sometimes it's not. -http://www.followingtheforts.blogspot.com/2012/11/time-enough.html

So, I’ve decided it’s time to evaluate how I spend my time.  I’ve determined that there are a few things that I must always make time for.  I resolve to make a conscious effort to carve out time for the important things.  Things like time with the Father.  My husband.  Making the most of every minute with my kids.  Taking time for my family, friends and those in need.

"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.         - 1 Corinthians 10:23

I’m pretty sure that in the last few seconds of my life, I won’t be thinking, “Man, I wish I would’ve watched more TV.  I wish I would’ve cleaned house more.  I wish I would’ve spent more time working.”  All good things, but at times, not the best use of my time.

Fortunately for the Dawgs, there’s always next year.  Learn from any mistakes they’ve made and move forward.  But we only have this one life to live.  One chance to make a difference.  One chance to make our life count for something.  

I don’t want to end up five yards short with no time left on the clock.

And, by the way, it is STILL great to be a Georgia Bulldog! =)

Father, help me to focus on the important and not so much on the urgent.  Help me to redeem my time well and make the most of every opportunity.