Jesus was the best example of a service-oriented leader, but I’d never fully considered how he managed his time. Some thoughts:1. Christ was always teaching and serving no matter the activity. Whether he was dining with a Pharisee or walking from place to place, Christ focused on serving those around him and teaching through that service.
2. Christ took time out to ponder and pray. We see many times where he took time apart to commune with his Father and to consider his mission. He was still focused on what needed to be done, but in a way that would allow recuperation and rest.
3. Christ slept and ate when it was necessary. We see that he was sometimes so tired that he slept through much of a storm. We should remember to rest and eat as well.
4. Christ prepared. Christ spent his teen and young adult years preparing for his ministry, growing in stature and wisdom and in favor with God and man. He fasted and communed with his Father and was baptized. Everything was done in order so as to best fulfill the will of the Father.
5. Christ did not adhere too rigidly to a schedule. He was teaching and had purpose, but took time out to serve and heal. I think of the time when he said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me,” instead of turning them away because he was too busy with something else. To me this shows how we can have a goal, a desired outcome, but that we can allow some wiggle room in how we get there.
6. Christ taught the individual. He knew his disciples needed to bear up certain loads after he was gone, and he used his time to teach them what they needed to know for that time.
There are many more lessons, but this was a good list to ponder for me. I hope it helps those who read it as well.
Formatting issues driving me nuts...
ReplyDeleteLooking at Christ's time management is a really interesting idea. I really like how you pointed out that no matter where he was or what he was doing, for example, eating the pharisees, he turned it into a teaching situation. We all have tons of commitments and things that take time, but with a little creativity I think we too can find ways to make every activity worthwhile like Christ did.
ReplyDeleteHey Ben, would you like to add a preposition to "eating the Pharisees"? I was a little disconcerted =P. Thanks for the comment otherwise!
ReplyDeleteBahaha eating pharisees... anyway, thank you for your post, Ryan. I really appreciate your thought process and exploration into the life of Christ as an example of time management. We commonly talk of his example of service and leadership, but I had never applied Christ's life to efficiency, priorities, and even taking care of our bodies so they will work for us (see my WAC). Thanks for your insights.
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