God, Goals, and Google Calendar: Inviting Faith into Time Management

Hi and welcome back!

Newsflash: Trying to “do it all” is exhausting.

Like, genuinely soul-draining. And I’m not talking about that good kind of tired that comes after a productive day and a glass of iced tea on the patio. I mean the anxious, scattered, don’t-know-which-way-is-up kind of tired that comes from juggling family, work, friendships, house projects, side hustles, meal prep, and oh yeah – Jesus - with the same intensity we give to grocery lists and dentist appointments.

Somewhere along the line, hustle culture got cozy with our planners, and faith got left on the nightstand next to the prayer journal we meant to open yesterday. And the day before that. And the one before that.

But here’s the thing: your time is holy. Not because it’s perfectly planned, but because you are.

Let’s talk about what it looks like to invite God into your goals and even (gasp!) into your Google Calendar.

Why God Belongs in Your Planner

We tend to compartmentalize. Church is for Sundays. Prayer is for mornings (if we remember). And calendars? Those are strictly business. Meetings, appointments, deadlines. Right?

Wrong.

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” That means your schedule matters to God. How you spend your time - your very life currency - is a spiritual matter.

When we plan without God, we often end up burnt out or pulled in a thousand directions. When we plan with God, our priorities shift. We start measuring success not by how much we get done, but by how faithfully we’re walking in step with Him. (Spoiler alert: His to-do list for you probably includes more rest and fewer panic attacks.)

Practical Planning Tools (Because Faith Can Use a Spreadsheet Too)

Let’s nerd out for a second. You know I love me some tools and systems. I have used everything from color-coded notebooks to apps that give me digital confetti for finishing tasks. (Don't judge.)

Here are some planning tools I love:

1. Google Calendar

It’s free. It syncs across your devices. You can set recurring reminders like “Devotional Time” or “Call Mom.” And yes, you can even color-code church, work, and rest. I am OBSESSED with color-coding!

2. Paper Planners

Some of us just need to write it down. There’s something sacred about physically planning out your day while sipping coffee. And there’s something so, so beautiful about CROSSING SOMETHING OFF. I must be a productivity nerd because there is NO rush like crossing something off the list!

3. Trello / Notion / ClickUp

If you're managing a business, a household, or just a beautiful mess of goals (ahem, like yours truly), digital boards can help you keep everything visual and manageable.

Whatever your tool of choice, the point isn’t perfection - it’s intentionality. Planning is a way of stewarding the time God gave you.

Inviting God Into Your Planning Routine

So, how exactly do you bring the Holy Spirit into a planning session?

I’ll tell you how I do it: before I even crack open my laptop or planner, I pause. Deep breath. Prayer. Sometimes just a whisper: “Lord, order my steps today.”

Here are a few other practices that might help:

• Start with Scripture: Read a verse before you plan. Let God’s Word frame your priorities. Proverbs is FULL of time wisdom, by the way.

• Pray through your to-do list: Ask, “God, is this something You want me to focus on right now?” You’d be surprised how many things feel less urgent when you hold them up to heaven’s light.

• Plan margin: Leave space for God to move. Don’t jam-pack every hour. That openness invites grace.

Planning with God isn’t some mystical thing - it’s a conversation. A rhythm. A gentle tuning of your heart to His voice.

How to Listen for Divine Nudges in Scheduling

Real talk: God doesn’t usually send calendar invites from heaven with subject lines like “Divine Appointment at 2 PM.” (Although sometimes I think I could REALLY benefit from a direct AHEM from above!)

So how do you know when God is nudging you toward something - or away from it?

Here’s what I’ve noticed in my own life:

• That still small voice? Yeah, that’s real. If something keeps popping into your spirit—call a friend, pause to pray, cancel that extra commitment—it might be more than just a passing thought.

• If you feel peace about rescheduling something to prioritize your soul or someone else’s need? That peace is from Him.

• On the flip side, if your schedule is creating constant stress, it might be time to reevaluate whether you're running your calendar or your calendar is running you.

Sometimes divine appointments look like helping a neighbor. Other times, they look like a nap you didn’t know you needed.

When your spirit is attuned, you’ll begin to sense God’s gentle rerouting. It’s not always convenient - but it’s always good.

Make Space for Grace, Not Just Tasks

If you’re like me, you’ve got tabs open in your brain at all times. (And in your browser, let’s be honest.) Life can feel like a never-ending list of boxes to check.

But friend, your planner isn’t your boss. Your productivity isn’t your worth. And your value isn’t in how “together” your schedule looks on the outside.

The truth? You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a faithful posture.

Invite God into your time, your goals, your rhythms. Make room not just for tasks, but for grace - the kind that interrupts your plans to give you a better one.

You may find that what you “had” to do can wait - and what He wants to do in you? That’s where the real transformation lives.

Until next time, happy planning, and remember: your calendar can be a holy space too.

Tell me what you think! Have these tools worked for you? Or not? What else have you found success in?