Time

​In one of their wildly popular, chart-topping songs, the 70’s rock group Chicago posed a question. “Does anybody know what time it is? Does anybody really care?”  This former rock and roll fan can hear those thought-provoking words in my head right now.
Do you and I know what time it is? More importantly, do we really care?
 How do you feel about time? What is time all about? What are you and I to do with the time we have? Phrases like “Pass the time,” “I wish I had more time,” “Where did the time go?” “How much time is left?” are all too familiar to us.
As Christians, you and I need to know what time it is and we need to care.
The Bible has a lot to say about time. Search the Word for yourself and discover what God thinks about time and timing. You will find a treasure trove of scripture regarding time.
One scripture about how to use our time is found in Ephesians 5:15-17. “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise; redeem (making the most of) your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote these words to help you and me manage our time God’s way. Three wise guidelines stand out to help us use our time wisely.

1. Be careful how you walk. Watch your walk. Your faith walk. Be wise, not unwise as so many others are. Wisdom comes from God. Walk with Him in His wisdom. A wise walk will respect and use time as God intended.
2. Redeem your time. Redeem, buy back, make the most of, make your time count. Why? Because the days are evil. You and I are well aware of the evil and evildoers in our world.

Foolishness, not wisdom, is the order of our day. Fools abound. “The fool has said in his heart there is no God. They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” Psalms 14:1. Foolish men and women despise their Maker and choose to misuse and abuse the time He has given them.

1. Be wise. Understand God’s will. Walk carefully. Redeem your time. Avoid foolishness. Instead, understand what God’s will for your life is. The Bible is our roadmap for holy, righteous, abundant, satisfying living. How well we spend our time walking on the faith road is part of doing the will of God.

 
Paul, who formerly was Saul, persecuted Christians prior to his conversion to Christ. The apostle of grace redeemed, bought back, reclaimed lost time. How? By forsaking his past, exalting the Lord, preaching the Good News and making disciples for Jesus.   
My friend, time is short in the scheme of God’s redemptive plan. Make the most of your time. Do not waste it. Make time work for you, not against you.
Redeeming Time

• Now is the time to believe in the Lord and obey His Word. (See II Corinthians 6:1-2).
• Now is the time to serve people in Jesus’ name.
• Now is the time to stop beating yourself up for lost or wasted time. Do not let others beat you up either! Throw away that beat-stick! Use your time wisely.
• Now is the time to learn from yesterday’s flops, fumbles and failures. Resolve to do better. Decide to be a good steward of the time God has given you.
• Now is the time to stand firm in bold, courageous, confident, immovable faith against Satan and evil.
• Now is the time to take back what the enemy has stolen.
• Now is the time to make things right with the people you love and care about.
• Now is the time to share your faith in Christ with people who are spiritually lost.
• Now is the time to make the most of each day to count for the glory of God!
• Now is the time to rejoice and give thanks to God for the abundant and eternal life you have in His Son Jesus Christ!

There have been times in my life, especially when I was not a Christian, that I wasted and blew time. As a Christian, on occasions, I have not used time wisely. I look back and wonder what was I thinking? Time got away. Time worked against me because I did not respect it, use it well and redeem it when I had blown it.
If you have wasted time and need to redeem it, release your wasteful season(s) and resolve to make the most of the time God gives you from now on. Let go, that’s right, let go of time that could have been better spent.
Because “our times are in His hands” (Psalm 31:15) you and I should make the most of our time.
Without question these evil days will continue. Therefore, do not be foolish. Walk carefully in God’s wisdom. Make the most of your time. Seek to understand and carry out the Lord’s will.
Count your days and make your days count!
“So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. “Psalm 90:12
A Word For Your Week: Redeem the time while there is still time.