Investing Our Time In People: Let God Write Our Story

Last updated on: August 31, 2026 at 6:02 pm by Michele Howe

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Investing Our Time In People: Let God Write Our Story 2026-08-31T18:02:56-05:00 Michele Howe

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Time To Invest In People

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5: 13, 14

Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Jonathan Edwards

Kelsey was a flight attendant whose work took her out of town for several weeks running sometimes. As a single woman, Kelsey relied heavily on her family and a few close friends to keep her current with whatever was happening in their hometown. They also made it a point to spend as much time as they could with her when she was in town. While Kelsey loved her job, she was starting to feel the pull to transition into a position that allowed her to work at the airport near her home.

We Can Feel Alone Even With A Crowd

She had spent ten years as a flight attendant and had traveled much of the world during that time. Kelsey made the most of her weekend layovers in the major cities across the ocean and explored the historical sites most only dream about visiting. So, what was the drawback? Kelsey began to lose her youthful wanderlust and long for regularity and more stability in her life. Though she got along wonderfully with her colleagues, Kelsey routinely felt the pressure to join her coworkers in off-duty activities that were certainly not honoring to God. Politely, Kelsey begged off and found herself mostly alone most of the time. For Kelsey, a real people person, this lack of genuine fellowship was painful, and she felt the sting of loneliness more and more.

Time Nevers Slows Down

That isolation and the fact that whenever she was home Kelsey felt she spent much of her time playing catch-up with her family and friends made her even more eager for a change. The final straw broke when Kelsey’s sister Cora gave birth to her first child and Kelsey could only celebrate through a brief phone conversation. Heartstrings tugging more than ever, Kelsey decided to make the dream of a career change a reality.

Creating A Home Life You Love Coming Back To

Today, Kelsey works in town and spends her off-time investing in her family and friends like never before. The stuff of ordinary life feels extraordinary to Kelsey because God has opened up a whole vista of service opportunities for her. No longer does Kelsey have to decline invitations for both socializing and serving. She can yes. And a resounding yes, it is. Kelsey lived the dream many fantasize about she discovered that no matter where you travel, there truly is no place like home.

* * *

Truly, there is no place like home. No matter where we wander, having a permanent place, a settled space to call our own is priceless. As Kelsey happily discovered once she made the huge transition from traveling to working locally, she no longer felt like she was an outsider trying to work her way back into her family and friends’ lives. Kelsey also realized how valuable her relationships were to her and it pained her deeply to continually have to say goodbye, often just when she was just getting reacquainted and involved in whatever was currently transpiring with her beloved family and friends.

People Make Our Lives Worth Living

Not everyone will see the need to make the major life transition Kelsey did, but the reasons behind her decision are worth pondering. For her part, Kelsey longed for deep spiritual connections with her family and friends. She longed to “do life” on a daily basis with these dear folk and knew it was impossible until she made a move…home. So, home she came. Kelsey was immensely grateful for her tenure as a flight attendant. But the more she saw of the world, beautiful though it is her heart drew her back to ministry and service in a deeper way.

Time – Use It Wisely

Kelsey also recalled how her own spiritual life blossomed and grew once she came back home because she was able to fellowship with her church family each and every week thereby cementing their spiritual bond. For Kelsey and for each of us, it’s all about prioritizing what matters most in life. Given the brief time each of us has on earth, it would do us well to spend some time introspectively and prayerfully looking at where, what, why, and how we invest one of our most precious commodities…our time. May we spend it in that which will endure for all eternity.

Take-away Action Thought

When I get distracted by the world and what it can offer, I’ll remember that my time on earth is short and I want to spend my hours and days investing in that which lasts for all eternity. What does the bible say lasts forever? God’s word and people’s souls.

My Heart’s Cry to You, O Lord

Father, thank you for allowing me the joy and privilege to travel and see much of your magnificent creation. I’ll never forget the sights and sounds of these memorable visits. But may I offer an even greater, “thank you?” I’m so grateful that you tugged at my heartstrings to come home permanently. I’ve never been so content and fulfilled as I am today. My heart is full because I’m finally able to connect more deeply, fellowship consistently; and serve to my heart’s desire. Thank you for showing me the path home and help me to never take for granted the brief time we are here on earth to know Christ and make him known. Amen.

Practicing Grace and Gratitude

Grace and gratitude from God – You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. Each evening this week, I’ll reflect back upon my day and prayerfully revisit how I spent my time remembering that we have a limited number of hours and days in this life. I want to rightly prioritize my time by investing in that which lasts for eternity: God’s word and people’s souls.
Grace and gratitude in me – But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. This week I’ll take time to review my calendar and study how I spent my time. I’ll take special note of how I spend my off-duty hours and my leisure time. If I need to make adjustments because I see imbalance or misplaced priorities, I’ll put corrective measures in place.
Grace and gratitude in life – For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” One question I will ask myself this week is this: “Do I love others as I love myself?” Do I sacrifice my time, my energy, my material goods for the benefit and welfare of those around me. If I don’t, I’ll begin incorporating one small change each week.

General Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

About Michele Howe

Michele Howe is the author of 31 books for women, children, and families. She has published over 3000 articles, reviews, and curricula. Her newest release, Brave Faith for Hard Things, helps Christians reframe their hardest seasons into beautiful moments of God's redemption and healing. You can read more about the author here.

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