beginnings

Brian E. Konkol 1-01-2013
Photo: 2013 image, © Vladyslav Starozhylov/ Shutterstock.com

Photo: 2013 image, © Vladyslav Starozhylov / Shutterstock.com

As common language in the U.S. is filled with references to time, it shows how much we value (and sometimes obsess!) over so-called “time management.”  For example, many in the U.S. believe time can be "on," "kept," "filled," "saved," "used," "spent," "wasted," "lost," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," or even "killed." We recognize that many fail to manage their time by allowing time to manage them, or as William Penn once remarked, “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” And so, as we turn our calendars from 2012 to 2013, we recognize the need to reflect upon our usage and value of time, for too often we place our plans as a higher priority than other people.

As we consider the dawning of a new year, many will reflect upon events of the past, take inventory of the present, and make numerous resolutions for the future. In doing so, we recognize that the Bible is an excellent resource for such undertakings, as it points us toward a faithful and fruitful use of the time God has given to us, as is written in Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven …”