What Would Jesus Do With Our Time?

 

“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” —Peter Drucker

I did some calculating the other day; as near as I can figure, I've officiated at nearly 250 funerals over the course of my career as an ordained minister.  

I can't recall a single funeral I've officiated where the eulogy included phrases like:  

"They were the most productive person I've ever known."

"They loved spending more time at the office than with their kids." 

"They would always take work calls, even in the middle of a family vacation." 

"They were a workaholic and proud of it."

Those descriptions are definitely not the way any of us want to be eulogized. 

But far too many of us know that if we shuffled off this mortal coil right now, our friends and loved ones could use those phrases at our big send-off.  

Asking "What Would Jesus Do?" about how we spend our time definitely would be a sobering exercise, but it also would be instructive. 

Jesus could always have healed more people.

More towns he could have visited.

More sermons he could have preached.

More people who wanted something from him.

And yet Jesus sometimes walked away.

Mark tells us that after an exhausting day of healing and teaching, Jesus rose “while it was still very dark” and went to a deserted place to pray.

Eventually the disciples found him.

“Everyone is searching for you!”

There was more work to do.

More needs to meet.

More expectations to satisfy.

But Jesus didn't allow urgency to determine his priorities.

He prayed.

He rested.

He spent time with friends.

He noticed people.

He went to weddings and shared meals.

He welcomed interruptions.

And sometimes he simply left the crowds behind.

Perhaps one of the most practical questions we can ask is:

What would Jesus do with my time?

Many of us live as though busyness proves our lives matter.

We hurry from one obligation to another, constantly checking phones, answering messages, completing tasks, and thinking about whatever comes next.

We can become incredibly efficient at living distracted lives.

Jesus shows us another rhythm.

Work and rest.

Solitude and community.

Service and prayer.

Purpose and presence.

Jesus knew that saying yes to what mattered sometimes required saying no to something else.

The same is true for us.

Every yes costs us something.

Another commitment may mean another evening away from our family.

Constant productivity may cost us the ability to notice the life happening around us.

Time may be one of God's most precious gifts because none of us knows how much we have.

So spend it intentionally.

Work faithfully.

Rest without guilt.

Pray.

Play.

Listen.

Notice.

Put the phone down occasionally.

Sit with someone you love.

And every once in a while, look at your calendar and ask:

Does the way I spend my time reflect the life I say matters most?

What would Jesus do?

Perhaps sometimes Jesus would simply stop.

And be present.

Prayer

God, thank you for the gift of this day. Forgive me when hurry and distraction keep me from noticing the life you have given me. Give me wisdom to know when to work, when to rest, when to say yes, and when to say no. Teach me to be fully present wherever I am. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. What currently receives more of my time than it deserves?
2. Where might Jesus be inviting me to say no so I can say a deeper yes to something that matters?
3. What is one way I can practice being fully present today?