The average worker takes twenty minutes to get back to his work once he is distracted. The average person spends seven hours on his smartphone each day. Five billion videos are watched on Youtube every day. That is a lot of wasted time that doesn’t produce anything of value. The Bible is very clear that we have to guard against those time stealers that drain us of our productivity.
1 Samuel 12:21, 24
And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Wise Words for Life
These words are spoken by Samuel the Judge to the newly anointed king Saul. They are wise words for life, especially anyone in leadership. Unfortunately, Saul didn’t follow his advice and lost the blessing that came with being king. God rejected Saul and had Samuel anoint David as the future king.
Stick to the Path
The Bible often uses the metaphor of walking a path to explain life. Samuel tells Saul to stay on the strait and narrow path and not to turn off the path to aside and waste time with empty things that don’t generate profit. Think for a second how many times a day you get distracted by empty, worthless things. Maybe its a notification on your phone or one of those red circles with a number pops up in one of your apps. Whatever it is we chase after it and pretty soon we have wasted twenty minutes.
Focus on what is important
Focus on those things that deliver. For a king it is the welfare of the country, for a boss, it is the profit of the company, and for a family, it is the provision of everyone needs. Do the important things first and if you finish them then reward yourself with some mindless time playing a game or reading facebook updates. Don’t procrastinate until the last moment wasting times on things that will not profit you or others and then rush to finish all of your tasks.
Serve Jesus Faithfully
Always remember that God is not going to forsake you. Serve him faithfully and remember the great things he has done for you. Trust that he has your best interests in mind and go about doing what you need to do. Don’t waste your time worrying about things that are out of your control. Give those worries to God and go about your business.