In reading The Art of Manliness, Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the 7 Manly Virtues by Brett McKay, I came across the following quotes,
"Great men have ever been misers of moments." -- Orison Swett Marden, Pushing to the Front
Great men are made in the moments lesser men toss away. Greatness doesn't require more than 24 hours a day, only making the most of the hours every man is already given.
Ephesians 5:15-16
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
But it takes intention to realize the potential of a minute. It takes initiative and faith to see a lifetime hidden inside a second. Anyone can squander a moment, but only the intentional can seize one.
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
So humility is needed if our days are to be redeemed and our moments gathered to make hay.
"The present time is the raw material out of which we make whatever we will." -- Orison Swett Marden, Pushing to the Front
Margins are required between activities in order to avoid being fragile. Too little margin means disaster when God intervenes with unforeseen interruptions. But a plan to redeem the margins when they aren't needed is also required if time is not to be wasted. A wise man plans for margins, but also has a plan to put the margins to work if they shouldn't be required.
"As Fenelon says, 'God never gives but one moment at a time, and does not give a second until He withdraws the first.'" -- Orison Swett Marden, Pushing to the Front
Psalm 39:4
Lord, make me to know mine end,
and the measure of my days, what it is;
that I may know how frail I am.
James 4:14
For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
God grants the mist to exist, but it would do well to take note of how quickly it evaporates. It is God's grace to permit the mist to exist, but also in revealing to it that it's time is short-lived.
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