“Early is on time. On time is late.” We’ve probably all heard this mantra. Some of us can live it more easily than others. Will reminds us why timeliness is important. Check it out!

Scripture

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” 

Ephesians 5:19-20

Reflect

I often wish there was an 11^th Commandment that reads, “Thou shall not be late, ever.” But if I am completely honest, I run late too – so I guess this shows even more how desperately I need God’s grace!

Sometimes I am late with “good” reason. Sometimes I am late because I lost track of time. And sometimes I am late because I just don’t want to get up off the couch. My family calls it “island time” when we are on vacation, where we just kind of float along and do things whenever we feel like it – like breakfast at 10am and dinner at 9pm.

At camp people might get thrown in the pool for being late.  I’m glad that’s not the case in every situation!

If everyone runs late, why is punctuality important?

1. Being on time shows our priorities. Being late shows there was something more important than your appointment/class/scheduled time involving others. Sometimes that is legitimate but other times we miss the boat. What are you prioritizing? Does your schedule reflect your valuing of others above yourself?
2. Being on time communicates respect. If you and I have a weekly meeting you are always 5-10 minutes late to, I will eventually take it personally. It might not be the first one or two times – we all know there are emergencies, but after a while it will seem like you don’t care about our time together. It will look like you think your time is more valuable than mine. Being on time shows people you care…that they are more important than your personal agenda and that you value time with them.
3. It is a part of managing our time well. Ephesians calls us to make “the best use of the time.” The Lord entrusts us with resources, including time. We are asked to manage them well. Our management of time has impact on both our lives and the people around us. It allows us a way to love each other and makes us more dependable. John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as you ever can.” I firmly believe managing time well is included in doing all the good we can.

Timeliness is important. There may not be an 11^th commandment about it, but we can love each other well by being on time. If we are habitually late, we can start good habits to be on time today.

Camper Corner

Imagine being tardy to school every day. Does that show your teacher you care about the class or respect them as a person putting energy into preparing a lesson? What do you think your teacher would think? How would they feel? Would you be loving them well? Let’s work on being on time in everything we do!