Clocks

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

One of my favorite TV shows of all time is a one season wonder called “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”.  It’s based around the writer and producer of a variety show, in the vein of Saturday Night Live, and his weekly process to get the show created, written, rehearsed and executed.  And my absolute favorite part of the show was the clocks.  The clocks were a running feature in the show, showing the countdown from once one show ends to when the next show started. Matt, the main character would glance at the clocks during the week, and at the end of each show he would stroll over to the master clock and hit the reset button, starting the process all over again.

I was such a fan that I carried this idea of clocks that needed to be reset each week into some areas of my responsibility to hold me accountable and to drive me to succeed. While I still love the principle of having a tangible countdown to when things are due, God’s calling me to re-evaluate the method.

APPLICATION:

The Psalmist pleads to God to show him his life’s end so he can understand how short his life really is.  PW has called it “numbering our days” making sure we are carpe diem-ing and using our time wisely.

While initially the idea of a running clock was to manage and monitor my work efficiency, years later that principle of numbering my days, hours, seconds, is so much more important as those affected by my decision making in regards to my time is of utmost importance.

My family needs the best of me.  Not the worn down from the day, consumed with thoughts of the next day, husband and father.  They require a 100% attentive and action-oriented shepherd of the home. 

My ministry requires honest and honorable attention as well.  I think of myself as a planner, but in reality, all I’m really good at is identifying deadlines.  I can definitely sharpen up how I choose to use my time.  I don’t want to get caught up in the disease of “good enough”, but I do want to be able to make wise time decisions with the proper attention given to the proper details at the proper time.

And lastly, I can’t let others determine the numbering of my days.  David pleads to God for help, not a friend, God and God alone.  So much of our busyness is a result of the busyness of others.  My race is my race, and while so much of what we do is a collaborative and collected expression, God will only hold me accountable for what I’ve done and how I’ve used this “fleeting life.”

PRAYER: