Is All Your Time "Free Time?"

Do you ever feel like your job, school, or whatever you do on a daily basis is drudgery? Or perhaps you identify with the following: When you started your job, you were really excited about it. But as the days go on and certain stresses come, it becomes something you hate. So you find another job, but the pattern repeats itself. Or maybe when you started school, you liked learning, loved your classes, and appreciated your friends. But as the work and stress pile up, you just want to escape!

Any witnesses out there?

I used to feel that way as well. I felt like my mornings, evenings and weekends were the most free, enjoyable slots during my week. It was like those were the only times during which I could do whatever I wanted and be 100% me. I figured it was just the nature of work versus play.

But then as my circumstances changed, I began to realize my mindset didn't account for my reality.

See, I got to a point in which I knew myself well enough to choose jobs I loved. So if I loved my work, why did I still feel as if work time was not my ideal way to spend my days? I simply reasoned that it must just be the stress, the sometimes-difficult interpersonal relationships, etc.

But as I matured and learned how to handle such stress and difficulty in relationship, that was no longer an issue. So now I had a great job doing what I loved, and I was strong enough not to allow stress to overwhelm me.

So why did I still feel like work was in a different category from free time?

I realize now that it has to do with where our motivation comes from. Are you doing your job because you think you have to? Is it your boss making you do it, or is it a daily choice you make? A good way to discover the answer to this is to ask yourself if you'd volunteer to do your work without pay. Another way is to discern whether you feel free to leave as you please. Are there things at your job that really go against your values? Is the work something you really hate doing? If so, why do you stay?

If you don't feel free to leave, you are allowing something or someone a measure of control over your life. God gives you a spirit of power, love, and peace that comes from a level head. Fear doesn't come from the God who made you. So if you are at your job for fear of financial breakdown or fear of rejection (e.g. They count on you and you don't want to tell them you need to leave), you're leaving a door open to the Enemy who wants to destroy your life.

So what can you do about it? You can start by recognizing that you are free! You are not a slave to anything, unless you sell yourself to it. But ultimately, the things you invite into your life are your choice. Let God open doors for you so that you can live out your calling. Forget the lies that say your desired career is impractical, unattainable, only for others, etc. Do you need another degree for your dream job? Get it! No money? Ask God and watch Him open doors.

If God can provide for me to live in one of the country's most expensive cities while working only part time in order to start a business, He can also provide miraculously for you. He's no respecter of persons, and He loves to help make your dreams come true! When He calls you and sets you up to do something, you'll surely have success!

So enjoy what you do on a daily basis, and make it count. Who wants to waste 40 hours a week of life? That's 2,080 hours a year, or about 86 days spent idly! Make every second count, because there's a world out there that needs you to be you. If you've ever perceived a problem in our society that had no solution, you may actually be the missing piece. Take back your time and realize that all of it is, in fact, free to be lived as you please.