One hour a day withdrawn from frivolous pursuits and profitably employed would allow any man of ordinary capacity to master a complete science. One hour a day would in ten years make an ignorant man a well-informed man.

Orison Swett Marden

Do you ever look back on your day and wonder where the time goes... or upon last year and wonder why you didn't accomplish more... or upon the vast expanses of your life and wonder what happened? If so, then welcome to the club - but what will you do now? Will you be content to fritter away these precious hours that make up this beautiful gift of life that the Master has so generously given? Far too many people have resigned themselves to do just that.

I suspect, though, since you are taking the time to read the thoughts of someone who may be a complete stranger, there is likely something within you that yearns for a more meaningful existence. This yearning is good, for God has created each one of us with a capacity for excellence, if we would sincerely be willing to pay the price.

So, what is the price of excellence?

Mr Marden, who sold millions of books in his day, suggested that the carving out of one wasted hour a day would be time enough to make you proficient in any area that you deem important. When you consider that the average American spends about six hours a day with TV or computers, you will quickly see that you have more than enough time to relax and still have time left over for the worthwhile.

What is worthwhile to you? Do you realize that an hour a day spent in Bible study (note that I did not say in the study of books written by people who talk about the Bible) would likely make you more literate in the word of God than most ministers? What kind of servant could you become in an hour a day?

What dreams do you have that would merit an hour a day of intense efforts towards that dream? I suspect that such effort, even on the limited scale of sixty minutes a day, would go a long way in the pursuit of matters that are of real importance to your existence.

"But", (I can almost hear you say),"in ten years I will be thirty... or forty... or fifty years old - or older! True! But how old will you be in ten years if you do not start taking a reasonable amount of time each day to live the life that is truly worth living?

You were called for a life of excellence and have been given the tools to accomplish that lofty goal. When will you start?

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, be not unwise, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Ephesians 5:16-17