Purpose
- Page ID
- 287915
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Why did we write this book?
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, the quest for personal growth and effective self-management has never been more pressing. As professors, we recognized this need and created a course entitled Self-Management for our students. As we walked with our students along their journeys of faith and self-discovery while reflecting on our own journeys, we realized that Biblical principles are foundational for navigating life’s challenges.
We understand self-management as self-stewardship. Stewards take care of property that does not belong to them. We are stewards of our lives. Ultimately, our lives belong to God. However, we are tasked with the management and stewardship of our lives. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, a master entrusts different amounts of money to three servants. Two of the servants invest the money wisely while one hides it. The two who invested the money wisely were rewarded while the one who hid his talent had it taken away. This parable leads to the central question of this book:
How do we best use the talents, opportunities, personalities, backgrounds, and experiences that God has given us?
The first answer to that question is, “not alone.” We need the Holy Spirit to do his work in us. We organized this book around the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We believe that when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we can experience personal fulfillment, a deeper connection with God, and a greater impact on those around us.
Although we have grounded this book in a Biblical foundation of self-management as self-stewardship, we draw from both Christian principles and universally applicable strategies from the fields of psychology, leadership, and education. This book is about taking an inventory of the inner so you can function in the outer. So, whether you are a Christian seeking to align your life more closely with your faith or simply desiring self-management techniques, the tools and insights in these pages will help you explore your thoughts, habits, and motivations. Through this exploration, we aim to provide a framework that integrates faith-based values with actionable steps, enabling you to cultivate a life of purpose, discipline, and grace.
Whether you are seeking to manage your time more effectively, set meaningful goals, become more self-aware, or deepen your relationship with God, we hope this book serves as a valuable resource for you.
~ J. Clevering and R. Vinegar