New Reminders: Time Management

I have lived many places and visited many other places.  One thing I have noticed is that attitudes about time vary from place to place and region to region.  In parts of the Southern U.S. there seems to be a relaxed feeling about having things start on time.  The same is true in the North East, but for very different reasons.  In the South it is typically blamed on the heat––that it is just too hot to rush around frantically to get somewhere on time.  In the North East, especially in big cities, the excuse for being late is often blamed on traffic problems.  When I lived in the Boston area, I was quite often at a meeting place well before the meeting was to start, simply because I was bought up to be punctual, and I planned ahead for possible traffic delays.  Meetings often started ten minutes late to accommodate late commers.  To be fair, there can be traffic delays, especially at certain times a day, but it is fairly easy to predict when and where those might occur and to plan to allow extra time.

In Green Bay Wisconsin, a different plan was put in place.  In honor of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi, a large clock at the main entrance of Lambeau Field runs 15 minutes fast.  It’s a tribute to the late coach’s demand that all of his players arrive 15 minutes early or expect a fine for being late.  He believed that success required the discipline and courtesy to never keep others waiting.  “Lombardi Time” guarantees you’re never late because you always arrive a quarter-hour early.  The great coach knew that punctuality is more than being time-conscious…it’s about arriving with expectant anticipation. Wall Street Journal, 12/29/23, p.A15

The Westby United Methodist Church has a lovely, chiming clock which was donated to the church in memory of a young man who grew up in the church.  I have noticed that the clock chimes a few minutes before the hour.  I’m not sure why it was set that way, but I think it functions well to remind the pastor that he or she needs to wrap up the sermon in order to get on the road in time to get to the Viroqua church to start services there on time.

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.”  This verse emphasizes the importance of being wise in managing our time and making the most of every opportunity, especially in a world filled with distractions and challenges.  Making time for God’s work should be everyone’s top priority.