I know how to waste time. I’m sure a lot of people could give me a run for my money, but when it comes to wasting time, I can hold my own. As a matter of fact, I might be considered an expert. Believe it or not, I want you to be an expert, too!

My friend, Milton, from Australia, hit the nail square on the head with this advice to youth workers…

“Develop the habit of wasting time with youth.”

In order to effectively impact young lives, we must learn to waste time with teens.

Just think about the amount of time we really do waste. By the time most Americans reach 65, they will have watched 9 years of television. Seriously, and 1.8 years of that time will be commercials. That’s pathetic. Nonetheless, I’m guilty. Between media and social media, I give a lot of my time to accomplishing nothing. Of course, there are other time-wasters we could name, but it would be a waste of my time to sit here create the list. The point is simple…

“Relationships change lives, and relationships that change lives take time.”

How many hours have slipped away from us (this week alone) that could have been wasted (invested) in someone’s life? There are things we do for the sake of ministry or career we think are important that really are an unfortunate waste of time. They just keep us busy instead of actively engaged influencing others life-on-life.

For me, busy typically takes place behind a desk. It includes too much time alone. Often, busy means planning, preparing, and polishing weekly programs. Why? Are they even that effective? Sadly, not really.

The simplicity of the Gospel and the example of Jesus Christ has often been all but lost for the sake of productivity and professionalism. I dare you (triple-dog-dare-you) to stop being efficient for once. Instead, take a chance and begin intentionally wasting time with the people God has placed in your path. That’s where real life-change occurs. That’s where influence takes place. That’s where transformation happens.