Time Management is Critical!

"Everything is appropiate in its own time. But though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men, even so, man cannot see the whole scope of God's work form beginning to end. "And I know this that whatever God does is final, nothing can be added or taken from it;" Ecclesiastes 3:11,14a (The Living Bible)



"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in a mud hut in a village near Umtata in Transkei South Africa on July 18, 1918. His father was the Tribal Chief of Thembuland and after his father 's death, the young Rolihlahla became the Paramount Chief's ward to be groomed to assume high office. However, influenced by the cases that came before the Chief's court, he was determined to become a lawyer. After hearing the elders' stories of his ancestor's valor during the wars of resistance in defense of their fatherland, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.

After receiving a primary education at a local mission school, Nelson Mandela was sent to Healdtown, a reputable Wesleyan secondary school where he matriculated. After leaving school he then enrolled at an all black college, the University College of Fort Hare for a Bachelor of Arts Degree where he soon displayed his leadership qualities. After being elected to the Student's Representative Council, Mandela started to live up to his Xhosa name Rolihlahla, meaning "stirring up trouble", and joined a student boycott which resulted in his suspension from the college.

After suspension from college, Mandela went to Johannesburg where he completed his BA by correspondence, took articles of clerkship and commenced study for his LLB. While studying in Johannesburg he entered politics in earnest by joining the African National Congress in 1942. At the height of World War II a small group of young Africans, members of the African National Congress, banded together under the leadership of Anton Lembede. Among them was William Nkomo, Walter Sisulu, Oliver R. Tambo, Ashby P. Mda and Nelson Mandela. These young people set themselves the formidable task of transforming the ANC into a mass movement, deriving its strength and motivation from the unlettered millions of working people in the towns and countryside, the peasants in the rural areas and the professionals. Their chief contention was that the political tactics of the 'old guard' leadership of the ANC, reared in the tradition of constitutionals and polite petitioning of the government of the day, were proving inadequate for the tasks of national emancipation.

Mandela soon impressed his peers by his disciplined work and consistent effort; he soon rose through the ranks of the organization and was elected to the Secretaryship of the Youth League in 1947. But in 1952 during the period when Mandela was restricted, he wrote the attorneys admission examination and was admitted to the profession. He opened a practice in Johannesburg, in partnership with his friend Oliver Tambo; it was the country's first black law partnership.


Nelson mandela continued to fight for the rights of blacks in his country, risking his life and being estranged from his family for long periods of time. Having to disguise himself in many instances so that he could get by the authorities, Nelson knew that time was critical concerning his people's future. Nelson Mandela was finally caught and put on trial for treason where he received life in prison. Although he spent almost three decades in prison he used that time wisely. God I believe used that time Nelson Mandela spent in prison as means to keep him alive and prepare him to become the leader of the country he loved. See God's purpose in life for Mandela had already been finalized. Nothing could change or take that away. God knew he would some day be president of South Africa so he had to survive the time spent incarcerated, because his work was not done.

The years in jail reinforced habits that were already entrenched: the disciplined eating regime of an athlete began in the 1940s, as did the early morning exercise. Still today Nelson Mandela is up by 4.30am, irrespective of how late he has worked the previous evening. By 5am he has begun his exercise routine that lasts at least an hour. Breakfast is by 6.30, when the days newspapers are read. The days work has begun.
With a standard working day of at least 12 hours, time management is critical and Nelson Mandela is extremely impatient with unpunctuality, regarding it as insulting to those you are dealing with.

It amazes me how God has already planned out life for His people. People waste so much time, not realizing time is critical. There is a season for everything, meaning there is a time for everything under the sun. We do not see time as important and we never manage our time well. Time managment is critical, when we don't manage time and waste the time given to us, it is an insult to the God we serve. What ever struggle you are in right now manage the time of this present struggle, continue to press forward, for it is critcial that you manage and learn all you can in this place, see you do not know the whole scope of God's plan, for you. Understand God is the final authority in everything. It may not be a fair fight or struggle that you are experiencing at the moment, but the bible says weeping endures only for a night. Night doesn't last forever, morning time must come. Time management is critical, cherish the time you have in this life and manage it well!