What Do You Consider a Waste of Time?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

As some of you have probably noticed, good time management is something I really value. I'm not always the best at it, but I was raised with a belief that someday, God will ask you for an account of what you did with what He gave you (Romans 14:12), and that includes time.

In your own opinion, what things are worthy of your time, and what are not? What things do you need to spend more and less time on in your life?

As many know, I've been part of Christian circles all my life, and have often heard spme Christians accuse other Christians of not spending their time on more "Godly" things, whether in real life or online.

What things do you consider a waste time? I know answers are going to vary and what works for one person might not work for another. Here are a few discussion questions I was thinking of:

* Where is the line between "unwinding" in front of the TV (or internet)... and wasting away large portions of our lives? Last weekend I made the mistake of turning on the TV... After three episodes of "Law & Order" and nearly 4 hours later... I finally got up. And I scolded myself for wasting all that time. When I do watch TV, I usually prefer educational programs.

* How much time should we spend looking for a significant other? I've talked to several people who literally spend all their free time looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend whether by participating in activities or spending countless hours on the internet searching and replying to dating profiles. Is this a good use of time?

* If a person spends most of their time reading the Bible and going to church but does little to use their faith in a practical sense (for instance, they aren't serving others or showing kindness in any way), are they using their time wisely? How useful is knowing Scripture forwards and backwards if we never apply it through kindness and generosity?

* If you would like to, list something in your life you'd like to spend less time on and something you'd like to spend more time on. I myself am guilty of trolling away countless hours away on the internet reading anything and everything. I'm trying to get away from this so I can spend more time reading actual books (instead of dozens of page-long quips that actually aren't all the informative.)

What are your thoughts on the best--and worst--ways to spend the time God gives us?

 

[seoulsearch]

I came across this passage in my personal Bible study a few weeks ago:

2 Kings 17:15 -- "They pursued worthless things (idols)... and became worthless themselves."

One of the things I enjoy reading about is fashion design, and this time of year is crucial in the fashion world. Although I am a jeans-and-t-shirt girl myself, I like seeing the pictures and reading about the designers and their inspirations.

But I also often think about how frivolous fashion can be, especially when it is all too easy to put the emphasis on ourselves and how we look or what we "need to buy" in order to have "the right look" or "the look of the moment."

I know there is nothing wrong with enjoying reading about such things in small amounts and they can even be a doorway to connect us to other people, giving us opportunities to serve and witness.

But lately I have been praying, "Lord, please help me to discern between what's valuable and what isn't, and stop me from pursuing worthless things."

 

[Lynx]

I just know a certain guy is going to denounce this thread as a waste of time. I can feel it...

 

[Dino246]

Less time watching frivolous junk on YouTube, more time practicing my musical instruments.

Less time complaining about my situation, more time encouraging others in theirs.

Less time pulling weeds, more time smelling flowers.

 

[passing_through]

Worry and reliving the past in your mind. I've gotten into the habit of stopping thinking of the past from the get-go, Barney said, Nip it, nip it in the bud.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I'm a master at wasting time. My whole life's been a waste of time (but I didn't plan it that way). You know how God is supposed to have a plan for each of us? I think my plan got lost in the mail or something.

 

[seoulsearch]

I just know a certain guy is going to denounce this thread as a waste of time. I can feel it...

Well if he does, God bless 'im.

Zero, I know things have not gone as you've often planned, and I'm sorry for that. But I also know you've spent a lot of time taking care of other people, and I know God values that highly. I don't want to sound cliche here (because you know how much I dislike that), but this passage reminded me of you: 1 Corinthians 15:58 -- "Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

One of the reasons I talk about this subject so much is because I come from a family of workoholics who are highly focused on productivity, cleanliness, and organization. To them, a 40-hour-a-week-job is a part-time hobby. I have one family member who literally falls asleep in church if they don't really work at staying alert, simply because they're not used to sitting for an hour. This person was raised with and lives by the mantra, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

Although my family is very loving and supportive, there is also this unspoken expectation that if you have more than a few hours to spare, you should be filling them with another job, class, cleaning, or something productive. Growing up in this setting, I had no idea it might not be entirely normal, and to this day I still fight with what a balance should look like.

People who have met me have probably noticed it a little--I usually have to be "doing something" until I kind of run ragged. I know this isn't healthy, and I'm trying to change that.

I enjoy reading all of your feedback because it helps me define what "normal" looks like for different people.

 

[Galahad]

Eating too much food is a waste of time.

 

[BruceWayne]

For me, anything I'm not happy doing is a waste of time. Reading, shopping, etc. would fall under that lol.

I've found that when the topic of ''wasting time'' comes up, it's usually from someone else's perspective, as it's not really something I entertain. Most of my free time is spent either working out or on the internet and I've been told more than once I waste a lot of time XD. I guess it's just the way I'm wired, but I don't draw any lines. I just spend my free time how I like.

As far as looking for a significant other, for me that would be a waste of time. In my opinion, the best relationships have always been the ones that just happen without looking for them, but that's just me. I don't think there's anything I would do less of, but it couldn't hurt to find more time to spend in the bible.

 

[JustViv]

This thread .... hhhmmm .... sounds so familiar coz I have an equation that I tell people when they ask me to go shopping:-

Window Shopping and/or Shopping = Waste of (Time + Money)

Well, I'm not a person who'd go to the shop if I have nothing in mind to purchase unless I've arrived at a location too early for an appointment (in order to avoid the traffic jam), then, I'll go for window shopping to kill time.

 

[tourist]

I just know a certain guy is going to denounce this thread as a waste of time. I can feel it...

I'm sure that he will, per usual.

 

[passing_through]

I'm a master at wasting time. My whole life's been a waste of time (but I didn't plan it that way). You know how God is supposed to have a plan for each of us? I think my plan got lost in the mail or something.

Sometimes, we call our life as a waste of time when God doesn't see it quite that way. I have thought of my life that way, but God was molding me by the things I endured from my mother, school, and employment. God is making us into the vessels that pleases him. What we call a waste, God may call schooling.

BTW, I have probably had more sleep than any person in the world due to my illnesses and circumstance.

Ronnie

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Well, I'm not a person who'd go to the shop if I have nothing in mind to purchase unless I've arrived at a location too early for an appointment (in order to avoid the traffic jam), then, I'll go for window shopping to kill time.

You can't kill time without injuring eternity!

 

[PennEd]

You can't kill time without injuring eternity!

What are the odds I can remember this great line when telling my son that playing too much NBA2k, and MADDEN football is a waste of time?

 

[seoulsearch]

Just a few thoughts...

Bruce--It's interesting that you mentioned that people define what a "waste of time is" differently and how quickly they are to judge whether or not ANOTHER person is wasting time, using their own interests as the standard. For instance, I never see working out as a waste of time.

In fact, it saves time and money in the long run because it enhances your health and prevents illness. I've been working a series of overnights in which we are constantly lifting and moving things, and my back hasn't bothered me yet except for regular fatigue. I'm positive that this is because I added strength training to my routine several months ago, and it's saving me a heap of grief (my back used to ache constantly.)

I do understand there are extremes (when what we love takes priority over responsibilities or loved ones) but I am often puzzled how some people find such things to be a waste of time. Kudos to you for taking care of yourself, Bruce! Well done!

Viv--I totally hear you about shopping. If I could do all my shopping via the internet (even for groceries), I probably would. But, I like to pick things out myself and unfortunately, have to try things on. Though I have to admit it's tempting because many companies offer free returns and in most cases, the bigger stores are over an hour away, so paying for shipping costs is almost worth it, even if I have to send things back.

Dino and Galahad--I hope you get to spend more time on the things that are important to you.

Passing--Terrific point about how God may view what we've done with our lives much different from even ourselves. I have a friend who has a gift for talking to homeless people. I worked with her for many years and she would always greet the homeless who came into our store with a smile and would talk to them for a few minutes. But she was firm as well if they started to try to take advantage of her (asking her to give them free things which she didn't have a right to do.)

Some would say she didn't do enough. But I'm sure her kindness means something to God.

I'm sorry for your suffering, Passing. I know the good Christian thing to say is that we have a perfect eternal life to look forward to in heaven. But I hope God blesses you here in this life as well for all your troubles.

 

[Lynx]

One thought in passing... Anything can be a waste of time if taken to the extreme. Even going to church. Even reading the Bible. It depends on what you are leaving out in order to do the thing you are spending time on.

" let your moderation be known... ."

 

[passing_through]

I'm sorry for your suffering, Passing. I know the good Christian thing to say is that we have a perfect eternal life to look forward to in heaven. But I hope God blesses you here in this life as well for all your troubles.

aw, thanks, seoul, thank means a lot. I am free now to live my life unencumbered by a dominating woman. I was her best caregiver, showed her love because she needed it. hug

 

[shineyourlight]

I definitely work well with schedules. I am not about just laying in bed for the entire day doing nothing. I feel that's a huge waste of time.

Typically, I work, I work out twice a day (which really helps me to stay focused throughout the day), dinner, and then either plans with friends or being at my apartment.

While at my apartment, depending on how I feel, I watch some TV (which I don't often), go online, read a book, etc. I try to use my time wisely. I think it's important to be busy but also to rest. Typically after work is my resting time

 

[BruceWayne]

Just a few thoughts...

Bruce--It's interesting that you mentioned that people define what a "waste of time is" differently and how quickly they are to judge whether or not ANOTHER person is wasting time, using their own interests as the standard.

Exactly. I think some people do only understand their own interests or the way they do things. I guess I never understood why anyone would try to tell others how to spend their time though lol. But, for sure, we're all different with what we value with our time.

 

[JonahLynx]

Less time pulling weeds, more time smelling flowers.

I like this saying.