J.R. Briggs

Leaders: learning to steward our time and our energy level

November 20, 2009

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I have been thinking a great deal about two great commodities in the life of leaders: their time and their energy level. Good leaders stewards both well – and both are quite inter-related. Paul urges us in Ephesians 5 to make the most of our time in every opportunity.  Moses is quoted in the Psalms as saying, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

I try to re-read J. Oswald Sanders’ book Spiritual Leadership once a year (time that I personal believe to be well spent). The book is worth its weight in gold. Here are his words on the importance of being intentional, deliberate and wise with our time:

“The character and career of  young person are determined largely by how and with whom he spends his spare time. He cannot regulate school or office hours – those are determined for him – but he can say what he will do before and after. The manner in which he employs the surplus hours after provision has been made for work, meals and sleep will make either a mediocrity or a man to be reckoned with. habits are formed in youth that make or mare a life. Leisure hours constitute a glorious opportunity or a subtle danger…

…A sentence that will seldom be heard on the lip of a leader is ‘I don’t have the time.’ Very seldom is it strictly true. It is usually the refuge of the small and inefficient person. We have each been entrusted with sufficient time to do the whole will of God and to fill out His perfect plan for our lives…The problem is not that of needing more time, but of making better use of the time we have. Let us face the fact squarely that each of us has as much time as anyone else in the world… Although we cannot be help responsible for our capacity, we are responsible for the strategic employment of our time” (Spiritual Leadership, pp. 135-137).

• How do you spend your free time? Will what I’m doing matter in a week? a month? a year? 10 years?
• How might those who know you best answer that question?
• What areas of your life are trivial that take up large chunks of time?
• How could you steward your time more wisely?

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