Page 86 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

THE PROSPEROUS WAY

We also need to plan short breaks in our workday to rest the body and
mind (and this applies whether our work is physical or mental). Here
we are talking not just about time management, but about self-
management.

How to manage our time is the subject of many books and courses. A
detailed review is obviously well beyond our present scope. It is enough
to say that it is well worth the time (no pun intended) to pursue an
understanding of how to manage time well. A tool that I use is set out
in Chapter 14. But the key is to build systems into our lives that work for
us and that we can consistently apply on a daily basis. A successful life is
one in which time is well spent.

FAVOUR WITH GOD AND MAN

Ultimately, we find favour with earthly kings through knowing and
serving the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that
“the king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord. He directs it like a
watercourse wherever he pleases.” And in Psalm 75:6-7, we learn that
promotion does not come from man, for “no one from the east or the
west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges. He
brings one down, and he exalts another.” Therefore, whereas we seek
to do our part in managing our relationships, our skills and our time well,
ultimately, we obtain favour with earthly kings as we petition the Lord’s
in prayer and as we live lives that please Him.

When we focus on what pleases God it also puts an end to our stress
and striving for the approval of man. The Scriptures tell us to seek first
the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and that the Kingdom of God is
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
Furthermore, “anyone who serves Christ in this way is both pleasing to
God and approved by men” (Romans 14:18). As we walk in the
righteousness, peace and joy that comes from communion with the
Holy Spirit, it is not just pleasing to God but it also wins the approval of
man. There is a quality in the constancy of joy and peace that comes
from the Holy Spirit which will always be attractive to those around us.
So, the result of pleasing God is that we also find favour with man. And
those who walk in integrity and right conduct also obtain honour.
Walking in this way is only possible by staying close to the Holy Spirit as
we engage in prayer, worship and reading the Word.

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