Jean Marie:
We may learn lots of important thing and we may even hope to be greater peope but there is something very important that peope,especially Burundians,and that thing is a great gift that God has given to all of us
That is "TIME" I MEAN 24HOURS A DAY"
Ephesians 5:16 says:"redeeming the time for the days are evil"
One of the things that are stopping us to reach our goals is THE WAY WE MANAGE AND ORGANIZE OUR TIME", I mean TIME MANAGEMENT.
How do you manage the 24hours that God has given to all of us?
Why is it hard or impossible for some of us to do well one activity per day saying that the time was short whereas there are peaple who are able to manage the same 24 hours you have and can do well four activities?
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Dear Jean,
I noticed on my studies of anthropology and sociology that "Time" is more relevant for Western cultures than for Eastern cultures. The way our western society is set up "time" is really a big deal. We can become a slave of time because our activities are organized around a calendar and a time set that people value so much that not observing it can produce real problems in relationships, of accomplishments and can cost a lot of money.
Though the concept of "time management" shared by you is relevant the word "time" used to translate the word in Greek for Ephesians 5:16 is not "chronos" but "Kairos".
Time in Ephesians 5:16 does not mean "time as of 24 hours", but a fitting season, an opportunity, a season or even a occasion.
Kairós – time as opportunity. ("opportune time") is derived from kara ("head") referring to things "coming to a head" to take full-advantage of. (kairós) is "the suitable time, the right moment, a favorable moment".
If I can think further time is a consequence of the fall of men. But for us in REAL let us think of Ephesians 5:16 as time being a opportunity you must seize.
Time (chronos) has to do with self discipline that you can learn by practicing! It has to do with your word! What value you give to your word, I mean, when you say something can people count on it? It is a decision you make to ordain your life into the tasks you have to do to accomplish your objectives in life. And so on...
I like to see people thinking of opportunities, of seeds coming their way! Education, knowledge, instruction are seeds. You can embrace them or disregard them. You have to be really smart to discern and perceive opportunities in life that well taken advantage of will launch you a new level of accomplishments, of success.
I like to live my life investing in people, relationships, it is a consequence of Love! When you love you give your time, you share with others, you pour out your life like Jesus did.
This REAL group is an opportunity, a Kairos.
Just imagine! Dr Paul goes to Burundi, make relationships with people like Fabrice, then we meet 4/5 years later in US, we come together with an IDEA to use technology (seizing an opportunity) and then we are together seating around each other in a virtual (global) room taking about this stuff! KAIROS! KAIROS!
JSALUM
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Love the conversation. I understand why time management is a topic of discussion here.
After my first trip to Burundi I was quite frustrated because there seemed to be no value on time. In my opinion there seemed to be lots of wasted time. So I understand why Jean Marie is bringing this topic up. Dr. Josimar is correct. We in the west are fanatical about time because to most Americans TIME IS MONEY! It is also because our lives are so busy with many many activities. So much so that many miss karios moments, opportunities because we are slaves to a schedule.
I believe there must be a healthy balance when it comes to our time. How we use our time really speaks to what we value in life. Our values are most important! As Dr. Josimar said he values relationships and invests in people. Many times he has sacrificed his personal time to invest in other people. He would not spend that time with these people if he did not value the as people. So how you use your time will reflect your values. Values are so important in our lives and really speak to how we use our time.
Jesus spoke to this when He spoke about the treasures of our heart! Out of our heart the mouth speaks. These are the things we value. This is a very important topic and will effect our families and business life.
Blessings
PTAYLOR
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How do you handle when someone schedule to get together with you at noon? And you say "yes, I will be there!" Do you show up at noon or at least 10 minutes before? Or will you let your friend wait for you? Or you do not show up at all!
This situation basically has nothing to do with the verse "redeeming your time" however it can be related if missing the appointment potentially may represent missing an opportunity.
If I make a commitment to be in such place at an specific time and show up late or simply do not show up reveals a deficiency on my character.
Making a commitment of time is all about speaking the truth, doing what I said I will do it. It is about honesty, respect for others and being prepared to deliver what I have promised.
I can't trust someone who fails constantly with his or her word. I can't do business with someone that does not show up in his/her commitments.
Observing time is not cultural! This has to do with the value of word. If you have a meeting at noon you better show up at noon. Don't let people waiting. They have other important things. As much as I don't like the oppression of hard scheduling I need to schedule my day to be able to deliver to my costumers a service with excellence and in an appropriate time.
In general, for many African, Latin America and Brazilian people time does not mean much. Sometimes it is even a subject for jokes. Time management has to do with values. And if people are disrespectful with their time they need to change. They don't miss a bus or a train but when it comes to making a time commitment it goes loosely. Yes, it is strange however that if someone needs to catch a bus, a train or an airplane he or she will be there with sufficient time!
If a professional says he or she will deliver a service or a product on a specific date he or she must be diligent in delivering it.
These are the aspects you must pay attention to be able to thrive in life and in business.
JSalum
