it's Nita.

(Audio and Text)

I’ve recently started a full-time salaried position. This is week two and I am already feeling the time crunch. As a student, my time was very flexible. I had hours upon hours of extra time to journal and muse about things I was learning, reading about or just plain interested in. That was a big part of my me time and it was such a sweet time. Given my number one love language is quality time, I felt more endeared to God and more aware of myself when I truly gave Him my undivided attention. It never failed that he would reveal even more of himself to me as the minutes past. 🥰

Yet, things are changing quickly! Who knows what my future holds for me– career, marriage, children–more and more of my time will be given to the tasks and people I care about most. What then of my time with God? How can I continue cultivate that relationship when the seasons of my life start to change? Because it’s not just tasks and people that take up my time, it’s everything else. Let me tell you about it in Jelly Beans (play video).

Now, I am going to put this in hours and minutes. Presuming you lived 78 years, here’s what your whole life would look like if it was all boiled down to 1 day.

Source: https://www.dailynews.com/2018/03/09/daylight-saving-time-is-here-so-lets-look-at-how-we-spend-our-time/

Sleeping: 8.71 hours

Working: 3.23 hours

TV, social media, video games: 2.77 hours

Chores (ex. household chores) : 1.85 hours

Eating and drinking: 1.23 hours

Learning/Education: 1.07 hours

Bathroom & Grooming: 0.77 hours or 46.2 minutes

Shopping (like grocery shopping): 0.77 hours or 46.2 minutes

Childcare or caring for others: 0.46 hours or 27.7 minutes

Commuting: 0.40 hours or 24 minutes

AND

Other Activities (free time): 2.77 hours

That’s it. Potentially the sum of our lives down to the minute of the average activities we spend doing. That is mind-blowing. There is so little time unaccounted for. Only 11.5% of our lives can be categorized as free time including such things as going to church or religious activities, leisure activities, working out, socializing, service activities, concerts, etc. whatever your would lump in to that leisure time section. That’s it 2.77 hours a day or about 2 hrs and 45minutes.

That may seem like a lot but believe you me that time can quick and really get swallowed up in a Netflix binge or going done the rabbit hole of your social media notifications (guilty 😅 totally done that). In writing this piece I am reminded time is so very precious. Instead of vegging out on tv and lazying about, I can be more intentional. I can be more intentional to soak in the quality time with loved ones, make room for my hobbies, and cut out things that are draining my time. It really is possible to live a full life but there are definitely areas where I have to be more personally accountable. I have to use my time wisely.

And, at the end of my life, I want to be like David. It was said of David that when he fulfilled his purpose for his generation, he fell asleep (Acts 13:36). What a glorious thing. To spend one’s life pursuing your purpose and completing it. 😌

Hmm, so how will you use your time? Life is such a wonderful opportunity. Let’s make the most of it.

P.S. If you don’t know your purpose, seek the Lord; he knows. He’s got plans for you and delights to lead his children fulfill their purposes.

Behind the writing veil: Just a little practical wisdom today. I pray this was insightful. 😊

Challenge: No tv, movies or streaming services for the next 7 days. I want you to come back and comment and tell me about your experience. What did you do with your time instead? What did it feel like giving up those things? What did you find yourself thinking about or reflecting on? I know that sounds like a lot and can be kinda tough, but I know you can do it!

Until next week,

it’s Nita.