Opinion/Resources/Teen Perspective 

By Teen Opinion Contributor Maggie Verdught

Photo: Deposit

Happy New Year! I hope your year has started off well and that you are thriving, friend.

I’m excited to share my insight in this post about a topic I’m really passionate about and feel convicted about. I want to share a resolution of mine – and I believe it is something all of us can work on. My goal is this: to spend time well. This is something I want to grow in and better myself for not only this year, but for the rest of my days! I want to spend all of my time well, to the glory of God. 

Why is it important to consider how we spend our time?

Time can be a touchy subject, and a convicting one, especially if you’re guilty (like me) of not spending it well sometimes. This is exactly why it is such a critical topic to think about. Ultimately, the reason we should consider how we are spending our time is because we should desire to glorify God with our time. When we commit our lives to Him, we should be giving Him everything. That includes our TIME – at home, work, school, free time. Wow. I’m feeling convicted as I write this because I have struggled a lot recently with using my free time unwisely!

Instead of spending quality time with others– with God, friends, family – I have often focused myself on entertainment, relaxation, and just trying to feel better. Herein lies the problem: my feelings do not matter more than my relationships. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” If we’re not giving everything to Him, we need to reevaluate and change something in our lives. That could be a behavior, or a habit; surrendering the time we have been given by God is the first step. 

Not ‘my’ time

In The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis, the significance of time is mentioned several times. Screwtape writes about how humans are ensnared by time, and he explains that God desires for us to be focused mainly on the present. Not living in the past, nor constantly preparing in angst for the future. You see, “my” time isn’t actually mine! Time belongs to God! He is outside of time, and we are bound to it. And that is okay. Think about that for just a moment. How great is it that our God is not subject to the force of time? His eternal power and divine nature are showcased in that. Our God is in control, and that is a great comfort to me, as it should be to you. Therefore, it is that much more important to glorify God with our time, because it is His. We should be good stewards of what He has given us, surrendering “our” time to Him, knowing that He works everything for our good and His glory.

How does God want us to spend our time?

God calls us to do great things for Him, if we listen and obey, submitting ourselves to do His will. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Throughout the Bible we see such beauty in how those who spent their lives committed to the Lord prospered. That doesn’t mean life is easy, certainly not, but those who commit themselves to doing the will of God will reap a reward. Simply put, as I’ve mentioned already in this article, God wants us to glorify Him with our time. Not to be a Debbie-downer, but none of us knows how much time we have left on this earth. That may sound negative and gloomy, but think of it as a great challenge each of us is given to spend our time well.

James 4:14 says, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Be intentional about seeking the Lord in every area of your life. He is a faithful God, and when you focus your heart and attention on pleasing Him, your soul will be satisfied more than anything else you try to fill yourself with. 

I hope that this article has been a reminder and an encouragement to you, friend, whether or not you are currently struggling with spending your time well. Have a blessed week!

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The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team. 

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Maggie VerDught is a high school student who enjoys learning about culture, news, and politics.

She is passionate about sharing the truth, especially with her generation. Maggie loves to run, read, and write poetry in her spare time.

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