In today’s world of so-called advanced communications, many people identify “telephone tag” as their biggest time waster.
When you leave a phone message on someone’s voice mail or answering machine, remember to cover the four W’s: who called, why you called, what you’d like the receiver to do, and when you’re available to receive a return call. A specific request with detailed information increases your chances of a reply. Also, the message of your own answering machine, should direct your callers to leave you answers to the four W’s
Another idea for using answering machines is to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ when you record greetings for those who call your answering machine. Proverbs says, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Leaving clear directions and acknowledging the Lord are both ways to redeem the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
