I felt the need to rest on the last day of the special new year morning services. As you may know, I did not get the chance to take the rest I've been wanting to take prior to the beginning of the new ministry. It has now been over two months since the New Life Vision Church has been founded. There has been much progress during this short time. The abundance of fruits harvested during this short time is the direct result of our church members' love and dedication. We are one family and a dream team gathered to cultivate God's dream. We've been working together out of the same purpose, same direction, same mind and same language.

I am composing this letter while I am taking a few days to realign myself. Having a quiet time of my own and spending times of solitude invoked in me again of the importance of time management. Time management is life management. Our lives in most part are determined by the way we manage our time. Time management is also the future management. Our future is determined by what we plant today. There is a Chinese proverbs which says, "All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today." The most important time of all is today.  It is the time called 'now.' 

Many of us know the importance of time, but seldom do we sincerely consider how our time shall be spent.  Schopenhauer once said, "Ordinary people think merely of how they shall spend their time. A man of talent tries to use it." The difference between an ordinary man and a man of talent is determined by the use of time. Wise man treats time as treasure. Liste to what Andrew Carnegie says:

"People of all ages are frantically searching for treasures. They keep their eyes wide open to the discoveries of gold mines. But true gold mines lie in a place called 'time'. Everyone's future hinges on how hard they tried to make a good use of their time. A wasted day is a day's worth of treasures gone to waste. If you have spent your day in a worthy manner, then you have gained your treasure for the day."   -Andre Carnegie-

The wisdom learned from those that understand the value of time is their valuing of planning. Planning helps you to better utilize your time. There is a saying that says 'Failure to plan is a plan for failure.' Take just a moment to make a plan for yourself. Make plans for your life, 3 years ahead, 1 year, 1 month, 1 week, and for a day.  Planning means the making of a list of priorities and executing them in order.

The wisdom learned from those that understand the value of time is their valuing of a moment - because everything happens in a matter of a moment. Goethe said, "Moments are truly beautiful. The moments when you entreat yourself, work, and rechallenge yourself for your desired goals are forever beautiful." Past times will never return. Future is uncertain. What is most certain is the present. Right this moment. Hence, we may plan for the future but also be faithful in our living in the present.

All things accumulate. Knowledge, wisdom, relationships, and objects will accumulate. However, not so with time. Time must be spent. Wise people are prudent about well-spending their time which does not accumulate. We do not need to obsess ourselves with having to spend our time exhaustively. However, in order to best spend our time, we need a rhythm. We need to define our planning times, prioritizing times, concentrating times for the present, and the time for a regular-self-inspection.

Passing times cannot be withheld. They must be used. They are the one thing God has given to all men equally.  So then our lives will differ depending on how we spend that time.  Treat time as treasure. Please bear in mind that the seeds you plant today will cause the bearing of your future fruits and flowers. I pray that your new year will be filled with blessings than any other because of your commitment to better manage your time.

Rev. Joshua Choon-min Kang, from the Pastorate