Distortions in the shape of our time foster distortions in the shape of our lives and the quality of all of our relationships. Indeed, these distortions drive us into the arms of a false theology: we come to believe that we, not God, are the masters of time. We come to believe that our worth must be proved by the way we spend our hours and that our ultimate safety depends on our own good management.

The above quote is from the book Receiving the Day by Dorothy C. Bass. I came to this book after hearing an interview on Mars Hill Audio between Ken Myers and the author. It was quite providential that I came upon this specific interview because time-management usually is an issue for me. Part of it is my commitment to what I’m doing at the time. Of course, part of it is also just me OCD’ing and not letting “good enough” stand on its own merit. Nevertheless, this book continues to be quite a challenging read. Perhaps convicting would be a better word because I’m seeing the depth of this issue; how much it touches all areas of my life to one extent or another.

So, I’ve been reading this book and like a splash of cold water in my face this quote hits me. One of the big time-management issues for me has been my perception of “if I could just get all of this stuff done, then the planets will align, I will have proven my worth and blah, blah, blah.” In the end, this faulty perception — namely, my worth being tied to managing my time well — is a lie. Just because I can cross off XYZ from my list for the day doesn’t make me any more valuable as a person (or follower of Christ) than if I had only done XY or accomplished none of it.

As Ms. Bass concludes … God is the author of time, not me. While effective stewardship of my time is certainly an integral piece of my life, it is not the defining construct I’m to base my self perception or value to God. I’m a sinner and forever in need of God’s grace. Even on my best day, I can never make my checked-off to-do list an idol.

I’m sure I’ll be unpacking this more as I get further along in the book, but for now this is enough of a start.