It Takes TIME to be a Better Man

“Better men” don’t just happen.  We’re certainly not BORN better.  No, the depravity of mankind is pretty deeply etched on the heart of every man.

Becoming a better man is process that finds its power in a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ, and its application in where we spend our time.   Paul would say it like this, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, for the days are evil.”  

What does it mean for us as men?

1.  It means we should be CAREFUL with our time.  As in “be sure you spend your time in the right way.”   That means we ask, “what should I do with my time?”   This is the Bible’s command to not waste your time on things that don’t matter.  It’s not an attempt to squelch your fun, but it’s a warning that you are writing your checks (your time) on a diminishing account.  One day, it’ll be all spent.  Are you spending it well?

2.  It means we need to consider what we’re LIVING for.  If I’m going to be “wise” and not “unwise,” I need to figure out what’s important.  One survey says that men spend more than 34 hours a week entertaining themselves by TV, internet and gaming devices.  Really?  Nearly as much time as some work?   So what do we do at the end of life when we’ve discovered – at the age of 65, we’ve spent 3,412 days of our lives (nearly 10 years!) watching television and getting nothing done.  That’s not living – that’s wasting!

3.  It means we need to MAXIMIZE our lives by planning our time.  Instead of wasting 3000 days of our life, we should plan to use our time in a way that matters.  In the fourth quarter of a football game, clock management becomes critical.  Why?  Because you’ve only got a few minutes left!

For illustration purposes, one author placed the years of a man’s life next to a day calendar lasting from 7 am to 11 pm.  It looks like this.

If you’re 15 years old, it’s 10:25 am in your life/day.

If you’re 2o years old, it’s 11:34 am in your life/day.

If you’re 30, it’s 1:51 pm.

If you’re 40, it’s 4:05 pm.

If you’re 50, it’s 6:25 pm.

If you’re 60, it’s 8:45 pm.

If you’re 65, it’s 9:51 pm.

It’s a sobering question.  What do you want to do with the rest of your day?