Hi everyone, it’s Mick here and welcome to Tuesday’s Podcast in Vision week here at STC. Our vision for 2020 is ‘Join Us for the Better Life’ and every day this week our bible reflections will consider key foundations of the Better Life Jesus brings. Yesterday, the Better Life; today, how we use our time each day so we can live out this Better Life – very relevant in our busy time demanding, energy sapping modern world!

REFLECTION:

Time is precious – energy is finite; we only so much of each available each day – the key is how we use it.

Jesus was a very busy man: he came to save the world which sounds like the ultimate demanding job to me! However, Jesus had the same 24 hours each day that are available to you and me – when you study his life in the gospels you see how well he used his time. His life was in balance; his life was in three, heaven inspired dimensions.

STC family will know the UP, IN, OUT triangle – it’s who we are and is based on the life of Jesus as we see it in the gospels. Here’s a reminder if you need it; Jesus spent UP time with God his Father, IN time with his disciples, his community of friends and OUT time serving others healing the sick & teaching about his New Kingdom of forgiveness and love.

Jesus was THE original model of MF, MG, LLB!

Our Bible reading today is John 15:1-4 –  amazing words of Jesus about how we live our lives and how we use our time.

John 15:1-4 MSG

[1-3] … “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. [4] “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. …

Jesus says here that our lives will contain times of fruitfulness and times of pruning – or times of being productive and times of being prepared to be productive – or, a time to work and a time to rest from our work.

The quantity of time available to us each day is fixed, but the quality of our time, how we use it, is down to us. With this in mind here are three truths to reflect upon on how we use our time

God Time: how is my Up, In, Out life balance at the moment? How does my triangle look! What do I need to do to bring it more into balance?

Family & FriendsTime. We all need to make sure we commit quality time to those we love, our family and friends. If you are married, make sure you spend quality time together; if you have children don’t let story-time be squeezed out at bedtime. Tasks come to an end, showing love to others is continuous! It’s a Godly thing.

Work & Rest Time: how is my work /rest rhythm?

Work – There will be tasks that need doing today – work, uni, school, children, family etc. Pray that Jesus would give you his strength and grace to do your work well, to honour him in all you do and be a blessing to others.

Rest – When do I have time away from my work (whatever that might be) to take ‘sabbath rest’? Sabbath used to be Sunday in our society – no more! Sundays are just another day for work, visiting family etc however, you still need rest – when/ how? Am I committing enough time to rest as well as work? How can I be less busy?  Do I need more sleep, exercise, healthier diet?

I still have to work at this in my life to make sure there is a Godly balance as over the years I could easily have had a tendency to work more than rest – no one clocks you in and out as a Vicar, the work seemingly never stops. Tricia and I have worked hard over the years in the ministry Jesus has called us too but, we we have also worked hard  (and not always succeeded) at establishing this Godly balance in our lives, our marriage and our family. Getting this balance right is not always easy but it is possible because Jesus will show us how to make it possible; then small step by small step we put his new life rhythms into practice and begin enjoy a more fruitful life, the Better Life he has planned for us. It’s well worth the effort!

PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, show me today how to use my time and energy well . That I would honour you in all I do and be a blessing to others this day. Amen