Letting God “Increase” Our Time

by Kurtis Eby

Have you ever thought about how time tends to be experienced uniquely, varying by individual? A child perceives time standing still while on a road trip, but an artist caught in their work blinks, and hours have passed. Though our interactions with time vary significantly, time is uniform at its core. 1 Chronicles 29:11 reminds us that everything in the heavens and the earth is the Lord’s. In Genesis 1:14-19, God created the sun, moon, day, and night – we know that time is from the Lord, too!

He invites us to number our days, knowing that time on this earth is fleeting. But why do we experience time so differently? We tend to view time as being spent rather than being invested. This is understandable, as we live within a 24-hour system that is effective for the use of commerce and community, but what if we lived like God truly was the author of time?

Believing in God for additional resources is commonplace in Christian culture. Time and time again, He proves Himself faithful to supply all of our needs. What other areas might He be inviting us to rely on Him for an increase? What could it mean if we believed in Him for additional time, beyond just talent and treasure? What if He allowed us more effective time? Though this blog wasn’t in our plans, we believe that our theme this year, Year of Increase, relates closely to time. We trust that God can help us invest and redeem time for His glory.

Since God created time, He is not bound by it. In Joshua 10, God caused the sun to stand still. He shifted time to allow for His kingdom to advance. This story reminds us of the truth about God – that He is the author and creator of time. Rather than viewing time as scarce and limiting, we can trust that He has the authority to multiply and increase time.

Consider how partnering with Him in this area could influence our approach to time. What investments do we make in time? When we know what He has given to us and walk in authority in that, I believe He can redeem time. When we are plugged into the source of time, we lack nothing. If we take a moment to analyze our time investment, our core values, and our resources, we just might begin to see how He would have us shift our investments.

I’ve found a simple question that can aid in an evaluation of your time: What does the way that I spend my time tell me about what I love? Take a moment to write out your schedule for the week. What is on your to-do list? Is there room to adjust if a relational opportunity with a neighbor or friend arises? What captures your heart and mind in your spare time? When we say we love our neighbor, but every day of the week is filled to the brim with work, sports games, and house chores, do we really love our neighbor? Or might our time suggest that we love something else a little bit more?

Whether it means canceling plans to accept a service opportunity, designating time each month to give to the church, or something else entirely, we invite you to join us in asking God how our time can be invested. What a joy it is to be able to partner with God to redeem and see an increase in our time.

And please – before you get to feeling that time is just too limited – remember that you, yes YOU, have access to the creator of time!