Sept. 23 - Time Bandits

In dealing with the "time crunch" we must always be aware of "time bandits" - these are things or situations that rob us of valuable time and cause us to function less than our best. You will be aware of particular time bandits that are unique for you.

Three big time bandits tend to affect many people these days. They may be different than the time bandits of Bible times, but the biblical principles can assist us in facing them head on!

PROVERBS 14:12. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

This verse reminds us that things that may appear safe and healthy, may not necessarily be so. We need God's wisdom to see correctly - so that we may be faithful in obeying Ephesians 5:15 - "Pay close attention to how you live."

For this message, I want to lift up three time bandits:


1 - GADGETS. This refers to all the wonderful inventions that are supposed to make life easier and save us time....cell phones, PDAs, notebook computers, email, Internet access, Blackberries. All these things are fine - they are not bad in and of themselves - but they can become addicting, and we can become enslaved to them!

A good principle is that found in Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." There is a time to use a cell phone, and a time to turn it off!


2 - UPSCALE LIFESTYLE - More specifically, the time bandit is a desire (or lust) for an upscale lifestyle. This causes us to make poor decisions. Frequently it causes us to cheat those we love of valuable time and attention (all because we think we are doing the best for them in providing them a way up the lifestyle ladder).

Wealth, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. But it can be a dangerous thing. Look at what the Bible says:

ECCLESIASTES 5:10. Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness.


3 - THE LIGHT BULB. This last "time bandit" will be a huge surprise! But the invention of the light bulb - and all of the accompanying electrical devices that went along with it - has effectively lengthened our day of activity from 12 hours to around 16-18 (or more hours).

God so wired our universe to give us "down time" that coincided with the setting of the sun. (Read Genesis 1:14-18.) We trick ourselves into thinking that we can accomplish more by skimping on sleep and rest.

For thousands of years the human race lived with an activity cycle bound by the sun, moon and stars. Only in relatively recent human history have we broken free from this cycle. No one should be so naive as to think we will unplug everything when the sun goes down. But paying attention to the cycle of light and dark - and making sure that we get the adequate amount of sleep for which God created our bodies - we may find unexpected benefits.

Sleep researchers suggest that job performance, athletic performance, and academic performance can be enhanced by adequate sleep. A night's rest may help you more on a test than an all-nighter of "cramming!"

The goal for the Christian is not simply to squeeze more obligations into an already crowded day.

Instead we are called to "number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).


What do you think?


MORE RESOURCES:

A recent Time magazine article addresses the connection between cell phone use and lack of sleep among teens.

An amusing video clip from a church - did this really happen or was this staged??

Read what David Crabtree has to say about "The Obstacle of Affluence."

If you are snowed under by monetary obligations, Dave Ramsey's resources may be helpful for you.

Read what Dr. James Maas has to say about the importance of adequate sleep.

A photo of Sarah Hughes, 2002 Olympic Gold Medal winner for figure skating, appearing with sleep researcher Dr. James Maas. Maas advised her that maximizing sleep would be more helpful to her Olympic preparation than rising early for additional skating practice.