Time for Every Thing?: How to be busy without feeling burdened

by Matt Fuller

Imagine waking up every day knowing your day has purpose, but is manageable. Imagine ending each day satisfied, not anxious... tired, not exhausted... fulfilled, not guilty. That is possible. That's what this book is about.

Most of us feel pulled in too many directions. Let this book free you from the tyranny of the to-do list; point you back to God, the source of true rest; and help you see the difference between what you must do, could do... and are free not to do.

Genres: Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Nonfiction, Productivity

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Matt Fuller is the Senior Minister at Christ Church, Mayfair, in central London.

Reviews

[Tom Sussex · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're like me and you feel pulled in too many directions to be able to do anything well, hopefully you'll find this book as helpful as I did. Super practical, full of examples and really faithful to what the Bible says about our time. My favourite thing the author did was to outline the lines of Neglect and Idolatry in different spheres of life. Between those lines: we find freedom with our time! This book left me thinking about what will I look back on in 50 years and say "that was a good use of my time". Much to ponder...

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and sensible and a strong 3.5. The diagram of the ‘floor’ and ‘ceiling’ of obedience is really helpful; as are the real-life examples at the end. When it’s your own pastor writing, you spend a lot of time trying to guess whether you know the people in the pseudonymous examples 👀

Maybe not much groundbreakingly new here - there are lots of overlaps with Tim Chester’s more in-depth ‘The Busy Christian’s Guide to Busyness.’ But Matt (and The Goodbook Company in general) is a masterclass in how to write naturally and smoothly. Like melted butter on theological toast?

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in a world where everyone is always 'busy' and that is considered a good thing by our society. But how does a Christian make the best of their time? Is it ok to skip church sometimes? How much leisure time should we have? Fuller goes through these questions and many more.
This book isn't legalistic at all, and thank goodness for that because everyone has different responsibilities, jobs and interests. It does however, set guidelines about how to make the best of your time based on what the bible says, and what God considers wasted time and time not well spent.
This is a book for every adult to read. It was very helpful to me.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have struggled most of my life with time management. I didn't always realise this and thought life was just too busy. I looked at various time management tools which did not address the underlying issues. Fuller's thesis is simple but profound. God has given us freedom in the various areas of our lives to do as we please applying some prudence to our choices. However, God's word sets boundaries to this freedom. If we cross these boundaries we slip into neglect, which is sinful, or at the opposite extreme idolatry, which is also wrong. In using our freedom we have to remember that we have not been given time to do all the things we want but enough time to do the things God requires of us.

[Sam Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.3) Helpful book in thinking about how to be busy without being overburdened or getting jaded.

Particularly good because it’s not a guilt trip. It’s realistic in its outlook, gives helpful advice without being prescriptive and gives you a sense of freedom and achievability in organising a well scheduled life.

And the emphasis beneath it all is on how we use our lives to serve Christ, not ourselves.

[Elizabeth Bridcut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a freebie from the Good Book Co and I found it very good. I felt it got the balance right, being practical but not prescriptive and putting my use of time in the perspective of a life that belongs to God and has eternity in view.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful and engaging read. Full of practical biblical wisdom to address our everyday busyness.

A book I’d gladly recommend to Christian adults in all stages of life.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Genuinely enjoyed a book that doesn’t consider being busy to be a problem; rather, it presents our time as something to be managed well to the glory of God.

Really enjoyed it!

[Stephanie Sheaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, short treatise on time from a Biblical perspective.

[Tyler Eason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, but helpful book on how to steward time well for the glory of God and the good of those around us.

[Keller Hackbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and practical.