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In our fast-paced world, time is often viewed as a scarce resource. We meticulously plan our days, cramming activities into every available moment. But what if we've been approaching time all wrong, especially when it comes to our relationship with God? It's time to shift our perspective and consider a revolutionary concept: giving God the best of our time, not just the leftovers.

The Bible presents a unique view of time, one that begins with evening and moves into morning. This pattern is evident from the very first chapter of Genesis:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness 'night.' And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day." (Genesis 1:1-5)

This evening-to-morning cycle is repeated throughout Scripture. In Exodus 16, we see God providing for the Israelites with quail in the evening and manna in the morning. The Psalmist in Psalm 90 compares a lifetime to a single day, flourishing in the morning and withering by evening. Even Jesus' return is described in Mark 13:35 as potentially occurring in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.

Our modern society, however, tends to view the day as beginning when we wake up, typically around 8 AM, and ending around 5:30 PM. We try to squeeze a day's worth of activities into these 9-10 hours, leaving the evening as "me time" for relaxation or personal pursuits. But what if we're missing out on the best opportunities to connect with God by relegating our spiritual life to the margins of our busy schedules?

The challenge before us is clear: we need to give God the best of our time, not just the rest of our time. This means intentionally carving out space in our day – perhaps in the quiet of the evening or the freshness of the morning – to focus on our relationship with Him. It's about offering our first fruits, not our leftovers.

Ecclesiastes 11:6 encourages us to, "Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don't know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both." This verse reminds us to remain diligent in our spiritual pursuits throughout the day, recognizing that God may be at work in ways we can't immediately see.

To make this shift, we need to establish boundaries and filters for our time. It's easy to become so absorbed in our day-to-day obligations that we lose track of time and become oblivious to God's presence and work in our lives. As Romans 13:13 warns, we must be careful not to "get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of time and doze off, oblivious to God."

The key is to go deep in our time with God, rather than trying to multitask or rush through spiritual disciplines. Studies have shown that multitasking actually causes our brains to work less efficiently, leading to more mistakes and less retention of information. When we give God our full attention, we create space for transformation and growth.

This shift in perspective invites us to ask powerful questions: What could my life look like in five years if I let Jesus have His way? How can I grow spiritually and respond to God's calling? The answers to these questions require us to surrender fully to God, including how we manage our time.

It's important to remember that God is not in a hurry – we are. When we align our schedules with His priorities, we open ourselves up to His peace and guidance. As Deuteronomy 31:8 reassures us, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you."

Practically speaking, this might mean setting aside time in the evening to reflect on the day, pray, and prepare our hearts for the next morning. It could involve waking up earlier to start our day with Scripture reading and meditation. The specific implementation will look different for each person, but the principle remains the same: prioritize your time with God.

As we make this shift, we may find that the rest of our day falls into place more easily. When we anchor the best of our time with God, whatever happens in the remaining hours stays grounded in Him. We become more attuned to His voice and leading, even in the midst of our busy schedules.

This is not about adding another task to our to-do list or creating more pressure in our already stressful lives. Instead, it's an invitation to find rest and renewal in God's presence. It's about quality over quantity, depth over breadth.

Imagine the transformation that could occur in your life if you consistently gave God your best time over the next five years. How might your perspective change? How might your relationships improve? How might your purpose become clearer?

The journey of faith is not a sprint but a marathon. By reimagining our approach to time and prioritizing our relationship with God, we position ourselves for long-term spiritual growth and transformation. We create space for God to work in us and through us in ways we may never have imagined.

As you reflect on this concept of "evening to morning," consider how you might restructure your days to give God your best. What boundaries can you set? What filters can you put in place to ensure that your time with God is protected and prioritized?

Remember, God is faithful. He will meet you in those moments you set aside for Him. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. As you surrender your timeline to Him and embrace His peace, trust that what is meant for you will be yours. The transformation you seek begins with this simple yet profound shift: giving God the best of your time, not just the rest.