I just awoke from a long ten-day business trip. When one looks back it is easy to conclude that miles wise it was not that bad in the culture we live. The miles hide the truth. London, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and then back to London was ok, it was the schedule that changed everything! Full days, from 7:30 in the morning through dinner in the evening crowded each day. Back to back meetings, one on one conversations followed by another, filled the calendar. Time to reflect was not even a dream; space to reflect a rare commodity.
In too many ways, my trip is merely a reflection of how more and more people live out their lives. The automatic defense comes in some form of the following; “but”, __________ is such a “good thing” or it is “so important” that I cannot afford to not be doing it.
I wonder. What will I remember from this trip? Will it be the meetings? I might remember one or two from the total of the 10-days. Will it be the people? The harsh answer is some; it depends on what happens between us in the days to come. Will it be the time spent alone or getting together with old friends? Actually, yes on both counts.
Solomon reminds us to “mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life.” (Proverbs 8.33) This past trip was partially squandered, and there is a lesson there I can learn from.
God offers you and I the ability to start fresh anytime we want to. Blow the start of a day? Reload, reset with God and the Presence. Live out an unbalanced schedule for a week, ten days, or even a month or two? God is ready at any and every moment to begin anew. Had a rough day? Seek His peace, rest in arms that always love, and the morning will give birth to new hope.
Time is the most limited of all things frequent. Combine it with God and live life at the max.
