We all have dreams. I dream of writing books, preaching great sermons, traveling to faraway places, and building a strong, loving family. But as I look at my life, I realize that time is always moving forward, and many of those dreams feel like they’re slipping away. Life, quite literally, is passing me by.
Maybe you feel the same way. Your dreams might be different, but deep down, you want your life to count for something. You long to be part of something meaningful. And yet, with each passing day, those dreams seem further out of reach. You look up and wonder, Where did the time go?
Why Does Life Seem to Slip Away?
I believe the answer lies in the choices we make—not just between good and evil, but between using our time wisely and wasting it. Erwin McManus puts it this way:
“This may sound too simple, but the abundant life that Jesus promises is ushered in through the choices we make in the ordinary moments of life” (Seizing Your Divine Moment, p. 35).
Each day, we are given time to use at our discretion. Yes, we have responsibilities—laundry needs to be washed, meals need to be prepared, work needs to be done, and family needs our love and attention. But even with all of that, we still find time for TV, social media, and entertainment. Our culture wears busyness like a badge of honor, yet we often fail to recognize just how much time we let slip through our fingers.
The real question is: When we have free moments, how do we use them?
Too often, I find myself wasting time—reading blogs, watching movies, scrolling through my phone—rather than doing something meaningful. I let precious moments slip away, moments that could be used to build something lasting for God’s Kingdom.
The Power of a Moment
A moment may not seem like much, but a single moment has the power to change everything. McManus describes this beautifully:
“The present moment is where the past and the future collide, and within a moment, there is monumental potential. That’s the mystery of a moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given to you” (Seizing Your Divine Moment, p. 18).
When we consistently choose the path of least resistance—whether that’s laziness, distractions, or simply avoiding hard work—we miss out on the life God desires for us. If we aren’t intentional, we’ll wake up one day and ask, Where has my life gone?
Making Wise Choices
Paul gives us this warning in Ephesians 5:15-17 (CSB):
“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Living carefully isn’t just about avoiding physical danger; it’s about being intentional with how we use our time. Time is more valuable than money because we can never get it back. The choices we make with our moments shape the direction of our lives.
So here’s the challenge: Are you being careful with how you use your time?
It’s never too late to start. Take inventory of your days. Identify where you’re wasting time and replace those habits with actions that bring you closer to your dreams and calling. Set realistic goals. Make a plan. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to become who God created you to be.
The abundant life Jesus promised isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s available to anyone willing to make wise choices with their time. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, serve, and make a difference.
Don’t wait for someday to arrive. Seize your divine moment. Make the most of the time you’ve been given. Your dreams are within reach—but it takes intentional effort to make them a reality.
The time is now. So make it count.
