Unleashing Divine Time Management: Growing Your Faith Despite a Packed Schedule

In today's fast-paced world, it can be challenging for believers to find the time to prioritize their faith amidst the demands of daily life. But fear not, for with divine time management, you can cultivate a stronger connection with God while juggling a packed schedule. Let us explore some practical strategies and insights that will empower you to grow your faith even in the middle of a busy life.

1. Embracing Divine Priorities: Putting God First

 In order to make room for God, we must acknowledge the importance of prioritizing Him above all else. Our schedules may be full, but when we intentionally choose to put God at the top of our priority list, everything else will fall into place. I remember one time when I was talking to my business coach and he asked me to make a list of all my priorities in order. Of course, I had God first, my family second, and work last. Then he asked me to evaluate my daily actions. To my surprise, my actions didn't align with what I thought were my priorities at all! In fact, the list was upside down. Sigh.

I needed to fix this asap. I made the commitment to put Him first as soon as I opened my eyes. 

I would begin each day by spending quality time in prayer and the word, seeking His guidance and wisdom. When we give our first moments of the day to God, we set the foundation for a spiritually fulfilling day and life ahead.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

2. Maximizing Small Moments: Finding God in Every Nook and Cranny

"Stop yelling at each other and clean up your room!" Ummm, that's not exactly the most peaceful moment to insert God I would think to myself. So I would take care of business and see if I could fit Him in another pocket of time where I could focus.

It sounded like a good plan, but that peaceful time never came.

God is not a God of chaos I kept telling myself. I decided to literally force him into the chaotic moments. How did I do it?

I did it by declaring His word of truth into those chaotic situations. If my kids were misbehaving I started to declare who God said they were instead of focusing on their negative behavior. 

"You are the head and not the tail!" "You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus!" " You can do all things.." 

This stopped them right in their tracks. I started doing it in conversations with my husband Jared. It worked!

I started talking to my computer the same way when it glitched! "The grace of God even makes my mistakes prosper!"

It worked! I could fit God into every nook and cranny. In fact, this habit made it so that every nook and cranny started fitting into Him.

Contrary to popular belief, spiritual growth doesn't have to be limited to specific time slots or locations. Look for opportunities throughout the day to connect with God on a deeper level. There are lots of ways besides being as forceful as I am. Whether it's offering a silent prayer during your commute, listening to worship music during household chores, or embracing gratitude during moments of frustration, these small acts of devotion can transform ordinary moments into divine encounters. Just make the decision to do it and you will. I believe in you.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

3. Streamlining Responsibilities: Decluttering for Spiritual Growth

Just as physical clutter can hinder productivity, a cluttered schedule can stop the nurturing of our faith. Take a proactive approach to streamline your responsibilities; identify tasks and commitments that align with your purpose and bring you closer to God. Learn to gracefully say 'no' to obligations that do not serve your spiritual journey. This was a hard one for me at the beginning because my identity was wrapped in people pleasing so saying no was a big no-no! Over time I learned that creating these boundaries made space for what God really wanted me to focus on and I was able to move through tasks quickly and efficiently.

No became the guardian of my heart, mind, will, and emotions.

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." - Proverbs 4:25

Conclusion

In our crazy world, it is easy for believers to feel overwhelmed by the demands of a packed schedule. However, by implementing divine time management strategies with some grit, we can ensure that our faith remains at the forefront of our lives. By embracing divine priorities wisely, maximizing small moments with grace and love, and streamlining responsibilities by creating boundaries, we can experience the growth and transformation that God desires for us. Remember, it is through intentional effort and real commitment to our faith that we truly unleash the power of divine time management.

Q/A Section: 

1. How can I make time for God when my schedule is already overloaded?

   • Prioritize: Identify less essential activities and reallocate that time to spend with God. He is your source. The rest will fall into place.

   • Be Creative: Look for small moments throughout the day to connect with Him, such as during breaks, while doing routine tasks or in the middle of a fight!

2. Is it okay to say 'no' to commitments that don't align with my faith?

   • Absolutely! It's important to set boundaries and prioritize according to your spiritual growth. Saying 'no' to unnecessary obligations allows you to focus on what truly matters. Not every offer is good for you even if it's good.

3. Can spiritual practices be incorporated into daily routines?

   • Yes! Spiritual practices can be seamlessly integrated. For instance, praying during your commute, listening to worship music while engaged in chores, or expressing gratitude amidst challenges can deepen your connection with God throughout the day.

   • Creating certain triggers to invite God into the moment are helpful. For example, since you brush your teeth every day use that as a cue to think of a new verse you are trying to memorize, pray in your head while you brush, or every time you spit make a declaration! :)

Remember, your faith journey should be personalized and reflect your unique relationship with God. Implementing these time management strategies will assist you in nurturing your faith despite a packed schedule. Remember that it takes practice so don't get discouraged. He will provide many opportunities for you to have intimacy with Him if you look right in front of you.