A Little Bit Better

Today’s the day — the first day of the new year! Whether you are a dedicated resolution maker or just enjoy a fresh start, it’s a milestone day for all of us.

My challenge for you this year: Get a little better at something of value. You don’t need to become an expert this month, just improve a bit. Take some time to look at your areas of responsibility, list your strengths and weaknesses, and tackle one weakness. Just one.

Remember, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.elephant-1598359__340

Looking at the Proverbs 31 description is usually intimidating and overwhelming. The breadth of knowledge and skill used there is impressive. But take a deep breath, step back, and think of all the things you already do. There is a wide variety there! If you continue that trend, adding a little more each year, learning something new, sharpening your tool set — think of how much more skill you will have in a few years. You are capable and are able to become even better.

This can be a brand new skill that would be useful but you’ve never tried before (like bread-making or book-keeping) or just getting a little better at what you already do (cleaning the house or studying or calendaring). Either way is progress.

Take advantage of the resources available to you, whether that be through people you know or online or at the library. We are blessed with so much to use for learning. A friend holding you accountable helps a ton (and keeps you from settling for less out of laziness or discouragement).

Sharing what you are learning to encourage others is a fringe benefit of these efforts. We’d love to hear what you will tackle and your plan to do it. Comment below or on social media. We’re in this together.

Happy New Year!

 

Using Your Time Wisely

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

How do we make the best use of time? That’s a HUGE question, and one we will not cover completely. We discussed this briefly in an earlier post. But still there are a few more points to help us make the best use of our time today.

In the verses earlier in Ephesians 5, we can see more background on the “unwise” and “evil” from the verses above. As much as we would like to walk in sunshine each and every day — and though we DO walk in light if we are children of God — that does not mean the darkness is not real or present. Sin abounds. Part of walking wisely will involve the rejection of sin and acts of darkness and evil. We need to be careful to watch for habits that support what is wrong (i.e., laziness, gossip, selfishness). Getting together with a friend can be valuable and enriching time, or it can be a gossip session that tears both of you down. Taking care of our responsibilities is necessary, but only as an expression of our love for God and our neighbor — not at the expense of those loves! Guard your heart and home, and you will be using your time well.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17

The next verse gives more detail on the foolish vs. wise contrast. If we are wise and making the best use of our time, we will be continually wrapping our minds around what the Lord’s will is. What has He said is right? What pleases Him? What will reflect His character and glorify Him most in any situation? This, of course, will take time in the Word — as much as you can wrestle into the schedule at this season of your life.

These parts of using your time well are harder than some others. Remember, although it can be a struggle, the reward is great!