Ephesians 5:15-20 says:
"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus."
We live in a fallen world.
Day by day, more and more is being corrupted. More is being taken into darkness.
Each day that goes by, is one less day we have to live.
Let's switch gears a little..
The idea of time always fascinates me.
Recently I turned 18 (hooray for being able to vote and partake in sweepstakes/contests!), and the realization of time and life hit me.
Time is going so fast. The other day at work I was thinking about how Jesus could return at any time, and how happy I (and many others) will be to finally go to place far better than this.
But until then, the days are evil.
What are we to do about it?
The actual context of this verse refers to redeeming our time.
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of redeem means to purchase or buy up.
So what are we "redeeming" or buying our time from?
Waste.
Do we realize how evil the days are? How evil the times are now?
Do we realize the spiritual battle we are in from the moment we wake, to the moment we lay our head down at night?
The very devil himself fights for the destruction of your soul, and though it may not seem very apparent at certain times - it's there.
Temptations come into our path every day, many times, and that is when we have the the choice to either redeem or waste our time.
Redeeming our time begins long before the choice appears. It begins with your walk with Christ. We must be close to Him in order to not get caught up wasteful things, or the things that lead us astray.
Everything we have is from God, everything. Even time, especially time.
Redeem it!
Thank you for the awesome reminder! Time is so precious, and how we spend our time says alot about who we are.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Kim and Gabrielle! Time definitely is precious. I think we forget what a privilege it is for us to have the ability to spend it however we want! Hopefully all for His glory. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad that you were encouraged ladies!
More and more so this summer I have seen the devil working so hard to try to make people in my life fall, yet they are striving to fight back, get help, and seek God to overcome it. I know a girl who nearly died from believing the lies of the devil, so this lesson of redeeming time and pursuing God without ceasing has really been one that has been being drilled into me. People always say that being young is the time to have fun and party it up--which it is a good thing to have (clean) fun and such, but I have been realizing that sometimes, you have seasons that aren't fun, but are more so focused on learning, growing and seeking God during the hard times...such a great post and an encouragement Rachel! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou are completely right Heather! We all have our ups and downs... but God can use it all for our spiritual growth and His glory. I love His sovereignty. :) Keep fighting the good fight!
ReplyDeleteGlad that God used this post to encourage you girl!