The Stewardship of Time

We live in a world where time is becoming increasingly treasured. It is common to see people acting out the slogan that ‘time is money’. The mentality of earning money for every minute is so real and gets almost everyone involved with some kind of activity. There seems to be not enough time for anything these days apart from our jobs. It is quite understandable that some of us must go to work even under dangerous storms because we must pay our bills. Most of us are busy, and some are super busy. The burden of work, school, and other human engagements can weigh down on us, and perhaps only human suffering like sickness or ill health can keep one away from the busy schedules of daily modern life. Jesus understands the human condition and wants to see us hale and hearty even as we engage with our daily tasks. He loves healing the sick because of his compassion, sympathy, and empathy towards them. The Lord healed Simon’s mother-in-law and she got back to work (serving them). Medical practitioners, those in tech industries, businesspeople, teachers and students, transporters, and many others in demanding areas of employment understand well how time flies and how tight our schedules can be. This experience was not different with the Lord, the master of time. Nevertheless, he knew how to manage time effectively, doing all he needed to do.

Jesus, in the Gospel of Mark (1:29-39), is seen as a very busy man. The Lord seems to be doing everything in and within time. He had just commenced his public ministry. It was a ministry of preaching, healing, and devoted service to his father among humans. He had to preach in the synagogue on the sabbath, healing in the afternoon, healing after sundown but also finding time to pray amidst his very busy schedule. This is precisely where the busy Jesus challenges all busy persons. The Lord knew his mission was important and that healing, preaching, and service were all part of that mission—the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. The mission was given by his Father, and he was aware of the need to consult with his Father even as he went about accomplishing this mission. His consultation with his Father made his mission fruitful and successful. This is instructive for all of us who are busy. It is always good to make recourse to God our strength even as we get busy with work.

We may want to rethink our relationship with time. What does time mean for us and what is our use of time? Do we misuse or fritter away our time? Do we fail to prioritize and use our time wisely? Amidst the hustles and bustles of life, do we still find some time to help people in difficulty or need, to console people who are in pain, and just like the Lord, offer them all kinds of healing and succor? Do we realize that time is God’s gift to us? Whatever we do with our time, we are responsible for it. Maybe we have learned to be meaningfully engaged with our time, but we probably have not learned to incorporate the owner and giver of time into our schedule. Jesus, himself, took some time off his schedule to pray. What time or times do we spend in prayer? Are we so busy that there seems to be no time for prayer? Even some of us who go about the work of the Lord can be so busy with it that we may forget the Lord of the work. Brothers and sisters let's always remember that God is the creator of time. He is happy to make our work and lives easier and better when we accommodate him in our schedule. As stewards of time, we ought to be productive as well as grateful for our time. Squeezing out sometimes or moments for God each day is a way of showing that we are grateful and are good stewards of time. If we are productive and engaging well with our time(s), offering help to those who have all kinds of trouble, allowing our timetable to accommodate prayer, it is a sure way to optimize our productivity and value. Peace be with you as you utilize your time as a responsible steward! 

Save the Date: Feb. 8 Screening of Angst

The Saint Andrew School Advisory Board, as part of its Parents are Partners initiative, invites you to attend a screening of the widely-celebrated film Angst on Thursday, February 8, at 6:30pm in the Auditorium. Produced by Impactful Films, Angst aims to remove the stigma and open up the conversation about mental health, helping our youth and their families understand that a certain amount of anxiety is healthy - and how to recognize when it's too much. Our evening program, running until 8pm, will include a panel discussion to help parents recognize symptoms and tips as to when to reach out for help. All parents in the Saint Andrew Community are invited.  Angst Reservation Form

Baby Bulldogs Registration- All are Welcome!

It's coming back! Baby Bulldogs will be back in January. This fun program is open to all infants, toddlers and their caregivers in our community.  Registration is now open. Baby Bulldogs Winter 2024 Registration. 

Applications are now open for 24-25! Do you have a friend or neighbor that is considering applying to the best school in Chicago? Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 24-25 can be found here: New Student Application