Redeem Your Time

Ephesians 5:15-16
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

I read a verse that hit me the other day and, since that time, I’ve been mulling over what it means for my life. I was in Proverbs 31 reading the description of a “Worthy Woman” (as my Bible puts it) and I came upon verse 27. It says, “She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” I have to admit that my life is not without idleness. As a matter of fact, idleness sometimes seems to be the only thing I’m working toward. I work hard all week so that I can relax on the weekend. When in school, I pushed through with the vision a 9-5 job and freedom from studies. I’m ashamed to say this but, often when I walk into McDonalds on a weekday morning and see all of the retirees lazily sipping their coffee and reading the paper, I think to myself, “How long until I’m there?” I’ve even said, on occasion, that I could go for retirement at this age.

So there you have it; my secrets of sloth and indolence have been revealed! But I wonder if we haven’t all felt this way at some time or another. Doesn’t it seem like we are all working toward the day when we can relax or get relief of some sort? This is why the verse hit me in such a way; a worthy woman “does not eat the bread of idleness.” This goes right along with what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:16. We are instructed to make the most of our time because the days are evil. This instruction makes me wonder then, what should my goal be? It seems to me that I should be sucking every minute out of every day in hopes of bringing glory to God.

Since I read the verse in Proverbs, I have gone into serious reflection about what I do with my day. I’ve realized that I have a lot more time than I originally thought I had. I’ve taken a proactive approach to situations instead of pushing them off, to be resolved at a later date. I’ve also realized that there is so much more I can be doing to bring glory and honor to God with my day. I try to bring joy into my workplace. I try to use my drive to and from work to praise God for the creation He’s given me to enjoy. In my home, I am trying to bring glory to him by diligently keeping on top of household tasks. Lastly, I have been attempting to get control over my life so that I can bring God the time He deserves. When I procrastinate or “eat the bread of idleness,” it is much easier for me to excuse skipping or cutting short my quiet time.

My challenge to you is to consider your life and your daily activities. Are you “making the most of your time” or are you “eating the bread of idleness”? It is so easy to slip into patterns of laziness and, ultimately, selfishness. Today, I ask you to give up one self-indulgence and give that time to God. Give up your allotted time to watch the news, give up your time on the computer, give up the time you spend on your hair in the morning, and see what God wants to do with that time.