Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. -Psalm 90:12
“Minutes and hours wisely used translate into an abundant life.” -J. Oswald Chambers
Few lessons in life have impacted me as much realizing the value of time. I don’t want to waste a decade, 5 years, 1 year, a month, a week, a day, or even a minute of my life. The only way I’ll refrain from wasting my life, is if I value my time and use it intentionally.
Time is the most valuable thing we possess. How we value and spend our time will determine what our lives will become. Below I’ve included some of the quotes that I try to reflect on often to remind me how valuable and precious my time is. I’d encourage you to file these and refer to them often:
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.
“We over-exaggerate yesterday, we overestimate tomorrow, and we underestimate today.”
“The character and career of a young person depends on how he or she spends spare time.”
“The way we employ the surplus hours, after provision has been made for work, meals, and sleep, will determine if we develop into mediocre or powerful people.”
“William James affirmed that the best use of one’s life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. Life’s value is not its duration but its donation—not how long we live but how fully and how well.”
“If we are careful about days, the years will take care of themselves.”
“Our problem is not too little time but making better use of the time we have. Each of us has as much time as anyone else. The president of the United States has the same twenty-four hours as we. Others may surpass our abilities, influence, or money, but no one has more time.”
“Conscious of time, Jesus spent His time doing things that mattered. No time was wasted on things not vital.”
“Through daily prayer, the leader discovers the details of that plan and arranges work accordingly. Each half hour should carry its load of usefulness.”
“John Wesley and F. B. Meyer, men who influenced the world for Christ, divided their days into five-minute periods, then tried to make each one count. All of us could benefit by similar discipline.”
Thoughts?
