Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

How much time do you have and how do you fill it?

While the summer is typically a time of rest, relaxation and light schedules, I can’t say the same about the fall. 

As summer wraps up and we begin moving into fall routines, we are presented with a choice and opportunity. 

The fall is typically a season when our schedules begin filling up again with our regular routines and commitments after a slow and relaxing summer. While the days still have twenty four hours in them, it sometimes feels like days go by so much faster because our time is so occupied moving from thing to thing.  

If you are anything like me, you can so easily begin to drown in and become a slave to your calendar of many different events and priorities. We become preoccupied with so many things that we risk becoming busybodies.  

The Scriptures tell us to guard against doing too much. 

“Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house, and they are not merely idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say” (1 Timothy 5:13).

Saying no to things and setting boundaries on our schedules are important and needed. This prevents us from becoming busybodies.

The invitation is to make this fall different. Instead of realizing in the middle of September that we are already busy with so many things, we can take time now to ensure that we have time for what matters.

Yes, our school, work, ministry and other activities matter and are important. But they must not take precedence over our relationship with the Lord, our families and friends, and even ourselves.

The time is now to put limits on our schedule. The time is now to answer critical questions.

When will I pray? How will I spend my Sunday? When can I plan for intentional time with my friends and family? When can I rest and rejuvenate by myself through a hobby or other activity? When will I take time for silence and solitude?

Answering these questions sets us up for success and helps us avoid burnout. Otherwise, we risk becoming overburdened, overwhelmed and out of time very quickly. 

May we not wait for December and the Christmas holiday until we have our first break. Let this fall be different!

Patrick is a beloved son of the Father who desires to use his gifts to build up the Kingdom of God. You can read more of his writing on his blog.