Some people never arrive on time for meetings because, in their small mind, being punctual would signal to others that they have nothing more important to do.
But, being tardy is not the trademark of the important but of the inconsiderate. Yet in many church and business settings those who arrive on time are penalized by being made to wait for those who arrive late. It’s a classic example of no good deed going unpunished.
If you are in charge of a meeting, and you have made a commitment to start at a given time, keep your word and start with whoever is there at the appointed time. In some corporate settings, the meeting room door is locked at the start of the meeting to emphasize the boss’s expectation that all are to be present at the appointed time. After being locked out once, most latecomers get the message.
God honors truthfulness. By keeping our word and starting on time we leave a good testimony and 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.
