Rev Neil Urquhart on the need to spend time more wisely

Prioritising time becomes even more important the busier you become and how easy it is to stumble into the crazy ‘headless chicken dance’. 

Rob Bell’s story of his young son sighting a colourful starfish, floating near the shore, spurs me to ensure sage efficiency.

Into the shallows, the young boy bounded only to turn back frustrated. With his prize well within reach, why so quickly turn your back on it? He turned and tried towards his eye’s desire but again returned to shore, his face full of failure.

This happened a few more times despite gentle parental pushing. Eventually, with tears streaming, he cried, “But I can’t!”Then it dawned, the wee three year old had both hands full of collected shells, which he couldn’t convince himself to release for his new target. 

Identifying and eliminating the trivial to concentrate on what’s critical and crucial requires focus and decisive determination.

Snacking on the popcorn of little ‘to do’ lists make us feel better at the time but can rob us of more important prizes.

It means my garage is a mess, the garden left to seed and my hair’s not always combed, but it’s a small price to pay for bigger goals.

Don’t let me con you into believing I’ve got all my ducks in a row, rather I’m reminding ‘Me’ of the need to spend time wisely. 

So how and why do I find time to swim, play football & cycle, as well as husband, grand-parent, pastor, preach and help lead & look after United Irvine Church? Good questions!

Like the spiritual exercise of time alone with God to read and pray, physical exercise and sport energise me.

Cycling to Largs to visit my mum and other long distances, give me a buzz (not just that of the cars, lorries and buses whizzing by me!). 

“Dear Lord, my life is full to overflowing, with not enough hours to do all I’d like. Help me to drop beautiful shells for the most excellent starfish. Amen.”