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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, & Wildly Productive
Have you ever wondered why it feels like there’s never enough time to complete everything we set out to do? Why, despite our best efforts, there's always something left unfinished?
The truth is that when sin entered the world – and brought mortality with it – it became impossible for us to finish everything we want to do in our lifetime. Even the most influential people, like William Wilberforce – who nearly ended slavery – felt like they didn't do enough.
This might sound like a downer, but it's actually a reminder that we need to find hope beyond what this world can offer. To paraphrase author Eric Metaxas, we all have a desire to transcend time and accomplish more than this world allows, suggesting we were made for a different, timeless story.
That's where the Christian narrative comes in. Our work on earth may seem unfinished, but it's part of a bigger plan, and God can deliver eternal results from our time-bound efforts.
So, what does this mean for us? First, we need to prioritize the things that truly matter in life, focusing on our values and beliefs. Second, we can find comfort knowing our work here has eternal significance – even if we don't see the full results.
Take tech genius Steve Jobs, for example. He felt like he didn't accomplish everything he wanted to, but his inventions continue to impact the world today, long after his death. Although it's hard to accept, we will all die with unfinished symphonies. But let's focus on what truly matters and trust that our efforts have lasting impact.
Along the way, it’s also important to approach life with a sense of hope. Jesus Christ's resurrection gives us hope for eternal life. This hope helps us make sense of time and our purpose in it. God created us to live and work with Him in a perfect garden, but sin messed everything up. Jesus' defeat of death proved He's the promised King, and now we're invited to co-labor with God to build His eternal kingdom. As "God's fellow workers," our work today is a means of glorifying God and loving our neighbors.
So, what can we do with this knowledge? First, recognize that our work has eternal significance and prioritize efforts towards building God's kingdom. Second, find comfort knowing God will complete the work we leave unfinished, if it aligns with His will.
Think about William Wilberforce again. He fought against slavery and brought us closer to God's kingdom, even though he had unfinished ambitions. God used his work to continue building His kingdom, just as He will do with ours.
Redeeming Your Time (2021) offers practical, faith-based guidance to help you make the most of your precious time and focus on what truly matters. Drawing on inspiring stories and biblical wisdom, this powerful resource equips you to prioritize your tasks, develop meaningful habits, and ultimately live a more purposeful life.
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Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 5,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma