It’s not about managing time but about managing our priorities.
A few years ago, I sensed something was profoundly wrong within me. The joy I once carried seemed to have vanished. Despite my outward smile, I wanted to curl up and hide from the world. I became distant, irritable, and would often cry without reason. It felt like a dark cloud followed me, casting a shadow over my every move. Thankfully, a caring friend helped me unpack these overwhelming emotions, revealing that I was suffering from burnout. The relentless cycle of being overwhelmed and overworked had consumed all my time, leaving no room to spend with God, and my spirit and soul were starving for it.
During that challenging season, God, in His grace, brought to my attention the story of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37). After several visits from the prophet Elisha, the Shunammite woman suggested to her husband that they renovate their house to include a furnished room for the “holy man.” By recognizing an opportunity to host God’s prophet and thereby His message, she made room for him in her home and heart.
Even Jesus made time for solitude and prayer. Mark 1:35 (NIV) tells us, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” He understood the necessity of prioritizing time with God to refresh His soul and maintain His spiritual strength.
In our fast-paced lives, it’s not about managing time but about managing our priorities. Each of us is given the same 24 hours in a day. I have learned to shift my perspective from merely managing time to focusing on what truly matters. When we neglect essentials such as prayer, exercise, or quality time with loved ones, it is often not because we lack time but because we have not made them priorities.
So, friend, what is taking up the most space in your life? What are you making room for? It’s never too late to reassess your life’s focus. Just as the Shunammite woman was rewarded for making room for God, our lives will also be enriched when we prioritize and make room for God to work in our homes and in our hearts.
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