Beyond Planners: Living by God’s Design
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the debate between paper and digital planners, but there’s a bigger question. Are we living by God’s design, or simply by default? Rather than getting bogged down in planning tools, let’s explore what truly matters in managing our time and living a purposeful WITH-God Life + Biz .
The Heart of the Matter: Hebrews 9 and God’s Sufficiency
In Hebrews 9:27, we read: “Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” This verse is a clear reminder that life on Earth is finite. At some point, each of us will stand before God to give an account of our lives. Yet, rather than emphasizing fear, this verse highlights a deeper truth: Christ’s sacrifice is fully sufficient to cover our sins, offering us the gift of eternal life (Romans 3:23). God’s grace is not something we can earn by doing enough good or “tipping the scales” with our deeds. Only through Christ can we stand redeemed before God.
This brings us to a critical question: Are you placing your trust fully in Christ’s sacrifice, or are you trying to supplement it by striving for approval through good deeds? No matter what we do, none of our efforts alone can remove the debt of sin. True freedom and eternal purpose come from accepting Jesus as our Savior. When we view time through the lens of God’s design, it changes how we prioritize and spend it each day.
Living with an Eternal Perspective
Scripture teaches us to consider the end to guide our lives in the present. Ecclesiastes 7:2 reminds us, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting…the living will lay it to heart.” When we acknowledge that life has a finite end, it can encourage us to live with a deeper purpose. While it may seem somber to think about death, this perspective is meant to shape our days and choices to reflect a meaningful, God-focused life.
Seeing loved ones live in such faith can offer a powerful example. My grandmothers, both near the age of 100, have walked their earthly journey with a clear destination in mind. As we sang a song about heaven recently, I saw tears stream down their faces—a beautiful reminder that life on this Earth is temporary and that they live in anticipation of eternity with God. This is how I want to live, with a heart focused on Heaven and a life that reflects His purpose.
Applying the Eternal Perspective in Everyday Life
When we look at our daily lives through an eternal lens, it affects how we approach everything from relationships to our work. In small groups or personal reflection, consider the question: How are you living today in light of that day when you’ll stand before God? This question shapes how we think about our time, not as something to manage but as something to use with intention. Building a WITH-God Life + Biz means aligning our decisions and actions with His eternal values, ensuring our plans, choices, and priorities reflect His purpose.
This approach can change everything about our day-to-day lives. Rather than getting swept up in the busyness and distractions of the world, we start living intentionally, with God at the center. It’s about embracing His invitation to walk alongside Him in all we do—whether it’s in our work, family life, or personal growth.
Living by God’s Design, Not Default
When it comes to our time, we can choose to live by design or default. Living by default often means following the world’s path, which is full of distractions and temporary pursuits. The “default” life tends to run after things that promise quick happiness but leave us feeling empty. As Ecclesiastes describes, it’s like chasing after the wind—no matter how much we try to grasp, there’s nothing lasting there.
Even as believers, we can sometimes live by default. We check off our to-do lists without pausing to consider if those actions reflect God’s calling for us. When we live by design, however, we’re aligning our choices with His purpose. Living by design means saying yes to God’s invitation to a WITH-God Life and allowing that to shape all we do.
King Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, tried every worldly pursuit yet concluded with this wisdom in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Living by design means recognizing that our ultimate purpose is found in our relationship with God and that only He can truly fulfill us.
A Closer Look at Planning: Paper vs. Digital
So, what role do planning tools play in a life lived by design? Choosing between paper and digital planners can reflect different preferences. But what matters most is how we use them to align our lives with God’s purpose.
Digital Planner: Pros and Cons
Digital planners have their strengths—they’re portable, easy to share, and can sync with other calendars for seamless scheduling. This makes them convenient, especially for those managing multiple schedules or working with teams. However, digital planners can also lead to over-scheduling and a “to-do list mentality,” filling every slot with tasks without necessarily reflecting our bigger life priorities.
Paper Planner: Pros and Cons
On the other hand, a paper planner offers a tangible way to map out your time, making it easier to see how each day, week, and month fits into the bigger picture. Writing things down creates a stronger connection to our plans. It helps us take ownership and stay more engaged with our goals. A paper planner may seem bulky, but its tangible nature can encourage us to slow down and reflect, ensuring our plans align with our values.
The Redeem Her Time Planner: A Tool for Living by God’s Design
The Redeem Her Time Planner was created with this WITH-God mindset in mind. It’s more than just a planner—it’s a tool for building a life and business aligned with God’s purpose. This planner helps break down time into yearly goals, quarterly focus areas, and weekly priorities, ensuring your life flows with God’s vision. With prompts for rest and reflection, it offers more than a task list. It provides a framework for growth and purpose.
For those who still prefer digital tools for scheduling with others, a hybrid approach can be helpful. Use a digital calendar for appointments and a paper planner for vision and priority-setting, ensuring every task reflects God’s purpose. While digital tools are handy, there’s value in connecting with our plans by writing them down and letting that process shape our hearts and minds.
Living Intentionally for Eternity
So, have I convinced you that intentional living is more than just a planner choice? Beyond paper or digital, choosing to live by God’s design is the most important step you can take. Accepting His gift of salvation and letting that shape your daily life brings true freedom and purpose, now and into eternity.
This journey is not something we need to walk alone. Together, in a community of like-minded women, we can pursue a life of purpose, aligned with God’s design. At Redeem Her Time, we’re here to support and encourage each other. We want to ensure our days reflect the One who gives them to us.
In choosing to live with God, each moment gains eternal significance. Join us on this journey, using our time not just for productivity but for purpose, building lives that reflect God’s love and direction. If you’re ready to go beyond a life by default, let’s take this step toward a life by design—living intentionally and purposefully for the Kingdom.
REDEEM Her Time Community
Ready to start living by design rather than default? Join our Redeem Her Time Community and discover how you can build a life and business with God at the center. Visit redeemhertime.com/community to learn more and begin your journey to a purposeful, eternal-focused life.
Once you’re there, consider these community questions:
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- Have you said YES to the WITH-God invitation?
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- Do you choose to live by DESIGN over DEFAULT?
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- What’s your vote on PAPER vs. DIGITAL?
And even if you still hang on to your digital planner for dear life, and don’t grab your REDEEM Her Time Planner when it comes out in a few weeks, I just want you to know, that I still love you and I am here to help support you in stewarding your time in this life to build the Life + Biz God’s called you to that produces abundant fruit in light of eternity.
REDEEM Your Time Masterclass
Be sure to check out the REDEEM Her Time Masterclass for more insights on living your best WITH-God Life + Biz.
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