March 14th is a day I look forward to all year (well at least since last November) because that is when daylight saving time begins. Yes I miss my hour of sleep, but I really enjoy the longer evenings. It just feels like I have so much more time. The question is what am I doing with that time? Paul told the Ephesians to “redeem the time because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:15, 16. The New International Version states it this way, “make the most of every opportunity.” Just because I have more time, doesn’t mean I’m managing it wisely.
There are any number of “things” I could be doing with my time. Some of these “things” will be productive, some may be relaxing, too many are just simply a waste of time. How do I know which category my schedule is falling into? Paul goes on to say that we shouldn’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. So the primary measure of how I use my time needs to be the will of God. Jesus understood this even at a young age. At the age of twelve when he had stayed behind in Jerusalem and worried his parents, his answer to why he had done this was, “I have to be about my father’s business.” So as I look at how I am using the time God has given me, I need to see his mark. The question from that is how do I know what God’s will is? In the case of this we look at what Paul told the Romans about offering themselves as a living sacrifice to God and allow God to transform their minds (Romans 12:1,2). Then we will know what his will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In other words, to redeem the time for God we have to give him time. We need to be in the Word. We need to mediate on his Word. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3. It is tempting when we spend time in the Word to read as much as we can so that we can say to ourselves and others, I read ten chapters today. But what have you gained from it? What lesson or knowledge did you take away from it about knowing God’s will or improving your life? Meditating on God’s Word means to slow down and really think about what God is teaching you or revealing to you. It would be a better use of your time to really meditate on a few verses and understand them, then to read pages that never sink in. So, what will you do with the time God has given you?
Don
There are any number of “things” I could be doing with my time. Some of these “things” will be productive, some may be relaxing, too many are just simply a waste of time. How do I know which category my schedule is falling into? Paul goes on to say that we shouldn’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. So the primary measure of how I use my time needs to be the will of God. Jesus understood this even at a young age. At the age of twelve when he had stayed behind in Jerusalem and worried his parents, his answer to why he had done this was, “I have to be about my father’s business.” So as I look at how I am using the time God has given me, I need to see his mark. The question from that is how do I know what God’s will is? In the case of this we look at what Paul told the Romans about offering themselves as a living sacrifice to God and allow God to transform their minds (Romans 12:1,2). Then we will know what his will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In other words, to redeem the time for God we have to give him time. We need to be in the Word. We need to mediate on his Word. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3. It is tempting when we spend time in the Word to read as much as we can so that we can say to ourselves and others, I read ten chapters today. But what have you gained from it? What lesson or knowledge did you take away from it about knowing God’s will or improving your life? Meditating on God’s Word means to slow down and really think about what God is teaching you or revealing to you. It would be a better use of your time to really meditate on a few verses and understand them, then to read pages that never sink in. So, what will you do with the time God has given you?
Don
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