Breathing Room (2) – Time (Ps 90:1-6, 10-12)

Last week we started this series called Breathing Room and we defined breathing room as the space between our current pace and our limits.  Whether you are aware of it or not, we all have limits.  When we reach our limits whether financially, relationally, or time wise, we begin to feel stress in our lives, our focus narrows and our relationships with others suffer.  Therefore in this series our attempt is to build some margin or some space in our lives, because life is better with breathing room.  More importantly, it is God’s desire that we live life with breathing room, because ultimately we are to trust Him with our lives.

So today we are going to start by looking at our schedules.  Don’t tell me, let me guess, you are busy, right?  You wish you have more time to do what you need to do, right?  The fact is we are all busy.  Our schedules are packed with work, family, friends, church, and other responsibilities.  I haven’t even mention leisure!  Sometimes our days are so full that we don’t enjoy anything because we are trying to do everything.  We know that our relationship with God and with others benefits when we create breathing room in our schedules.  But where do we start?

Moving Forward

Whether it’s work, family, or other obligations, something is going to control your time. Why not give control to the One who gave it to you? Creating breathing room in your schedule begins when you recognize that time is limited . . . and therefore valuable. Use your time wisely.

Begin by saying this prayer, “Teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Discussion Questions

1. Talk about one of the happiest times in your life. What was your schedule like during that period?

2. Think about how you managed your time last year. What would you like to do differently this year?

3. Read Psalm 90:10–12. Do you tend to think of your days as endless? Why is it difficult for us to number our days?

4. Do you currently or have you ever kept a Sabbath day? If so, what were the benefits? If not, what is challenging about the idea of taking a day off from your responsibilities and obligations?

5. What is one thing you need to add to your schedule? What is one thing you need to subtract?

6. What is one thing you can do this week to begin to create breathing room in your schedule? What can this group do to support you?