The Time Challenge:
How to Steward What You Cannot Control
Time management is a myth. Stewardship is not.
Every single respondent to our leadership and coaching survey listed the Time Challenge in their top five struggles. Three out of four put it right at the top. And they are not wrong. The Time Challenge is universal.
It does not matter if you are rich or poor, rising or broken. The only truly equal resource you have with every other human being is time. You do not get to save it. You cannot earn more of it. You do not get refunds. You get twenty-four hours—same as everyone else.
So here is a reframe:
Instead of asking, "What did I spend my time on?"
Ask, "What did I buy with my time today?"
Because make no mistake—you are buying something with it.
Time Management is a Lie
You cannot control time. You cannot stretch it, store it, or multiply it.
You cannot manage it like a budget or a to-do list.
But you try.
You make endless checklists, hoping that once everything is done, you will finally have peace.
But the more you tick off, the more appears. And the more tired you get.
The truth is, you cannot manage time. You can only manage you.
From Time Lord to Time Steward
Time management is an illusion. Time stewardship is a mandate.
You are not a Time Lord. You are not Doctor Who. But you are a steward.
God does not ask you to control time. He asks you to be faithful with it.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
—Ephesians 5:15–16
Prioritise with RADIO: A Faithful Stewardship Filter
Every decision you face—every task on your plate—can be filtered through the RADIO model.
But it only works if you start with this question:
Is this within my God-given ability?
That means asking whether the task is within your strengths, your season of life, your resources, and your actual responsibility. You were never asked to do everything. You were asked to be faithful with what you have.
Once that is clear, run your task through the RADIO filter:
Tasks that score high across these five areas—and are within your ability—should rise to the top of your priorities.
How to Apply RADIO to Your Week
Here is a simple way to use RADIO in real life. You do not need a fancy system. You just need to be honest.
Step 1: Make a Time Log
Track what you actually do during the week. Not what was on your calendar. What really happened. Write it down. Keep it real.
Step 2: Run Each Task Through the RADIO Filter
Ask the RADIO questions for each task and mark your answers. If you like tables or spreadsheets, use them. Here is a sample:
The more boxes ticked under RADIO, the higher the priority. If something scores high on RADIO but low on Ability, it may be time to delegate or say no.
Step 3: Decide What Stays
Focus on tasks with high RADIO and within your ability.
Delegate tasks outside your ability that still matter.
Delete or defer anything with low RADIO alignment.
Step 4: Review and Adjust
Look back at what drained you and what filled you. Adjust next week’s plans based on what you learn. You are not just managing tasks. You are learning to steward your time.
The Truth About Time
Time is not a task to be managed. It is a currency to be stewarded.
And you are accountable for what you buy with it.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
—Psalm 90:12
So—what will you buy with your time today?
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