Time- spent or invested?

Time- a commodity we all possess and a commodity most of us struggle to gage well.

To spend time is to use it up, exhaust or consume it; while to invest time is to put it toward something permanant and less fleeting.

I know for me, time flies! Time seems to escape on wings never to return. So how can I clip those wings of time a little? Well maybe I can quit spending it and begin to invest it... I'm sure I have done both but I suspect that I spent it more than invest it on a day to day basis.

So here are some of the ways I've been thinking about investing my time:

~reading God's Word and praying: not in the "rote, check it off my list" sort of way but a purposeful, focused way, directing my heart, mind and soul to the things of God, connecting with His heart regarding my life, ministry, and relationships.

~relationships: taking the time to call my friends and family, to tell them I love them and make an effort to cultivate those relationships, invest time in them. If they are fellow believers, encouraging them in their Christian walk and devotion to God's Word, enjoying the fellowship of believers. If they are not believers, sharing my life and my faith with them, bringing them the gospel and loving them where they are at.

~ministry: carefully seeking what God would have me to do then pursuing it prayerfully, diligently, and wholeheartedly.

My life, my gifts, my time... these are really not mine. Life, gifts/talents, and time are a stewardship from my Lord meant to be used for His purposes and His glory. So as I go forward today, how will I apply the stewardship of time that has been entrusted to me?

Spend it or invest it?

Ephesians 5: 15-17

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."