Time Management and Dependence

Not only do I have a tendency toward legalism (see yesterday’s post), I can often submit to the sin of self-sufficiency--living independently of God. I will go about my day making decisions, performing actions, and interacting with others, all the while neglecting to consult the Lord for His guidance and direction.

What absurdity such behavior displays! How foolish to think that I can successfully pull off anything apart from God’s help, guidance and direction. It is for this reason that I need to be continually reminded of the source of my ability. This is the second all-important truth we need to keep before us when considering the topic of time management and organization.

We can fill our shelves with every time management and organizational book available today. And we can devote all our energies to applying their tips and following their suggestions. Yet, we are utterly incapable of managing our time or organizing our life in a way that brings glory to God without God’s help! Jesus put it quite bluntly when He said, “Without me, you can do nothing.”

Back in December, Kristin quoted Charles Bridges' commentary on Proverbs 3:6—“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Let’s allow Mr. Bridges to counsel us further on this verse. You will need to give this quote your full attention, but I am sure it will be to your great benefit:

“If in true poverty of spirit we go every morning to our Lord, as knowing not how to guide ourselves for this day; our eye constantly looking upward for direction, the light will come down. He shall direct thy paths…. Let the will be kept in a quiet, subdued, cheerful, readiness, to move, stay, retreat, turn to the right hand or to the left, at the Lord’s bidding; always remembering that is best which is least our own doing, and that a pliable spirit ever secures the needful guidance…. No step well prayed over will bring ultimate regret.”

In all our attempts to get more organized, let’s not to forget the humbling truth of which Dr. Bridges reminds us: “that is best which is least our own doing!” May this thought provoke a constant and genuine dependence on God.