Our Grace Ladies Sunday School Class recently had a retreat entitled “Dashing Through The Dash”. The Dash is that little line on our tombstone between the year we are born and the year that we die. We studied about how to make the most of it, and I wanted to share some of our study with you.

Are we too busy? Are we taking advantage of every opportunity, making our time count? Rather than just making it, how can we make a difference?  Instead of just getting through, how can we get through to people?  Let’s not just reach for the end of the day, when we can reach out to a dying world?  Rather than just surviving, how can we have a life of purpose and meaning that makes an impact on our loved ones and others for Christ? How can we leave a lasting legacy?

Let’s start by looking at examples from the Bible. Scripture says, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” (Prov. 13:20) A study showed that we become an average of the five people who are closest to us. When Jesus is one of the five, well, it puts us way ahead. Jesus’ life on earth is the greatest example to us of how to redeem our time. Jesus did not linger and tarry after His work was done. He had a sense of mission and He knew He had to be about His Father’s business.

Ways to Make Your Life Count the Most

1. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ. When Paul, the great missionary, surrender his life to Christ, it drastically changed. He went from persecuting Christians and trying to stamp out the early church to relentlessly pursuing people to lead them to Christ all over the world. He wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else and lived for us a great example of how to redeem the time.
2. Get some alone time to pray and focus on what God is calling you to do. Even Jesus got away and had quiet time with the Father. We can run off in our own direction or we can consult God first. Consulting God ensures that we don’t waste time chasing things that are not His will.
3. Make a Plan and Plan to Make it. Manage Your Commitments. The Proverbs 31 Woman was busy and an awesome example for us in redeeming the time. She was an early bird, up getting a plan in place for the day. ¹⁵She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She prepared herself and her family for hard times. A stitch in time saves nine. ²¹She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
4. Don’t procrastinate, initiate. James 4: 14 says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Don’t waste time. Writer, Amy Carmichael once said “We will have all eternity to celebrate the victory but only a few hours before sunset.”
5. Have a good attitude about your work. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Here, Paul’s not referring to the big important work you’re going to do someday. He’s talking about the routine, boring, toilsome, task waiting on you right now. Chuck Swindoll says, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” Zig Ziglar says, “It’s attitude, not aptitude that determines our altitude!” As Christians, our focus should be to be all God wants us to be.
6. Persist, never give up. Noah persisted even though everybody laughed at him. Had he not, he and his family would have drowned. And, technically, we’re his descendents, so we wouldn’t be here either. By far, Jesus was the greatest example of persistence ever. Philippians 2:8 says, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
7. Do what’s best and what you’re best at. Say no to unimportant tasks. When Jesus came to visit them, Martha was so caught up in the flurry of activity, she missed the main point of spending precious time with Jesus. Mary chose what was best—to spend time with Jesus. “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” -William Carey
8. Do one project at a time. The Proverbs 31 Woman knew what was important and took charge of what was intrusted to her and used her talents to make it a success. She finished one project at a time then moved on to the next one. Proverbs 13 ¹⁶”She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. ¹⁸She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. ²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.” Remember – first things first, second things second.  Have finishing power.  Push through until a project is done, one project at a time.
9. Take care of yourself physically. Eat well, stay active and get proper rest. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of others. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2)  “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” (Psalm 116:7) “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” (Proverbs 31:17)
10. Set Priorities. We hear the phrase “free time” a lot.  Truth is our time is not free. We each have 24 hours a day. What will you do with it? What will you do with your Dash?

Dear Lord: Thank You for the gift of time, and that, before we were born, You planned all of the days for us. Help us to remember that only what we do for You will last. May we stay busy about Your work, loving You and loving others. Only You know when our lives will end. Help us to live lives of noble purpose, generous service and work well done for You. Amen

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God walk with you day by day and guide you to serve Him and others well as you make your life count the most for Him.