Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Making the most of our time is essential for us these days. We are so busy, flitting from here to there, church, work, school, PTA, clubs, sports, and on the list goes.
Through all of this, we spend a lot of time alone in our cars. That time can be wasted or it can be invested. Here are 6 ways to invest and redeem your commute time.
- Pray: Have you been looking for consistent time to devote to prayer? Why not use your daily commute? You don’t have to close your eyes to pray. You can talk with God as if He is sitting in the passenger seat. You may even find time to pray for those other drivers instead of yelling at them.
- Listen: Get the Bible on cd or mp3 and listen to it. Or you may get on the mailing list for sermons on cd from some of the preachers you’ve found most helpful. If you have an iPod and an auxiliary jack, you can subscribe to all kinds of sermon or growth podcasts and listen to those during your commute. You might try this one.
- Memorize scripture: Write down the passage you want to memorize on a card and carry it with you. When you are in the car, start repeating it over and over again until you can say it without looking (which is good because you are driving). If you have a smart phone or an iPod touch, you can download a Bible program and use that as your prompt.
- Meditate: I don’t mean close your eyes, touch your finger tips, and hum. Rather, I mean think about the scriptures you are presently studying or memorizing. What do they mean? How do they connect to other passages you know? How do they apply in your life today? How can they help you and your family if you live by them? How will they help you on the job? Take specific time to think about them and apply them.
- Phone calls: I know I’m going to take flak for this one from the “Hang up and Drive” bumper sticker brigade. Make sure you do this with a hands-free set; keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. If you have that capability, use your drive time to connect with those who hold you accountable and those you hold accountable. It’s private. It’s consistent. It’s perfect.
- Relax: Yep. That’s right. Relax. I don’t mean do nothing. I mean purposefully use this time to relax. Especially your commute home after work time. Play music that relaxes you. Breathe deeply. Be grateful for delays because they give you more time to simply relax and exist without the pressure of having to do something at that moment. Be thankful you are alive and can drive.
When you’ve done all of this, you might also take some time to drive. We would all appreciate that.
What other tips have you learned to help you redeem the time? Click here to add your input.
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