168 hours a week… but to do what?

Win it or lose it. Time hurries on or slips between our fingers. Some grasp it, other try to kill it… Time! Every week 168 hours are at our disposal. But where does our time go? How to make the most use if it? Do we invest it where God wants us to? And how can we know, by the way, what to invest at what moment?

The participants at the seminar on “Managing one’s time” organised by the Mission from 13th to 15th June were reflecting on all these questions. After a time of evaluation enabling us to take stock of the actual use of our time with its strengths and weaknesses, the state of our reserves and our areas of responsability, we took time to mention and share about stress and exhaustion.

In order to be able to define our missions and to decide whether to say “Yes” or “No” we dwelt on the idea of vocation, taking the example of Jesus: impossible to decide where to invest if we do not know what we have been called to! Once our mission has been defined we also need the right practical tools to get organised. Thanks to the various testimonies the participants departed with concrete ideas on how to improve their daily schedule.

One cannot talk about organising one’s time without also talking about times of rest. We put this important part of the programme into practice by taking time to watch the magnificent sunset at the Petite-Pierre castle and sharing profoundly the question: what truths about God come to mind when we rest? What causes us to lose our rhythm of rest? What do we need to do to find real rest?

Our thought process closed with a time of practical application. We had shared, contributed, reflected… what choices are we going to make in the immediate future? How will the organisation of our time change? And what will we do when motivation is low?

Three days to climb above the daily routine, become aware of the immense gift time represents, and a good springboard for improving our management skills.

This is what Benjamin, one of the participants, said: “This training was of benefit to me on several levels. It was good mix of Bible study, reflecting alone or in groups, and very concrete tools. I left feeling very enriched, yet with a sense that this was only a beginning. We threw open doors on the way we organise our time and it’s up to me now not to slam them shut again, but to continue to grow in wisdom.I liked the variety of input, bwteeen playfulness and in-depth exchnages; between the formal and everyone’s sincerity. It was certainly a training session in which I did not waste my time: these 48 hours should have repercussions on the rest of my life!”

Lise S.

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