We spend a lot of time thinking about how to use the time we have. We plan out our day for tomorrow, we plan vacations for the future, we look forward to the weekend when we can hopefully slow down a little, and we look forward to retirement when we’ll have more time. Time, time, time. Time is one of the most precious things given to us, and how we use our time says a lot about us. Sometimes time flies, other times it drags, but always it marches on. My grandmother was fond of saying, “Time waits for no man.” So given that we only have so much time in this life, it’s all the more important to use it wisely.

What do you want to do with your time? I love the words from Psalm 84:10–11 that say “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” These verses remind us that where we spend our time is more important than any self-satisfaction we may derive from personal pursuits. In a world where status is coveted, we ought to intentionally step away from the noise occasionally to be still and to consider the fact that a day in the courts of God is better than a thousand—a thousand anywhere else, spent any other way. And to be a doorkeeper—the lowest of the low among His servants—is better than the highest honor among the tents of wickedness. Where would you rather be? How would you rather spend your time? Can you say with the Psalmist you would rather be a servant in His house? 

Hundreds of years after the Psalmist wrote these words, Paul told the Ephesians to be wise and thoughtful about how they conducted their lives, “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). The best use of our time is any time spent in service of the Lord. Whether it’s having a Christlike attitude at work when you’d rather not, or making a meal for someone, or doing something kind for a stranger, any time that we use to serve the Lord by serving others is time well spent. 

How do you spend your time? Where do you spend your time? Let’s not spend our time among the tents of wickedness. Today, let’s commit to spending our time wisely, to live in His presence, and to come into his courts in prayer. As we do that, we can rest in his promise that he will not withhold any good thing.