Redeeming the Time
Deadlines. We have all faced them. Sometimes we plan and work hard and get things done well in advance. But other times (more often than we would care to admit!) the deadline sneaks up on us until suddenly we have to re-organise our whole lives to make it happen tomorrow. And then the time that we give up is the time that we spend with God and with our loved ones.
Last week I was working towards a deadline at my day job, and had to be at work extra days to get everything done. And so for the first time since I started this blog in July, I did not have the time in my week to write a proper blog entry. And on Saturday I did not have the energy to do more than just post a verse or two. Today, now that the deadline has been met, I suddenly had free time to do as I please. And I realised that this is the moment when wisdom is required. This is the moment when I have to choose to get back to spending time with God, or something worldly and ultimately not profitable will be there to fill the void.
Ephesians 5:16 (WEBBE): 15Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
So I have learned two things. When we are under time pressure, we should seek refuge with God more than ever instead of giving up the time we spend with Him first. And when the pressure is off, and we suddenly have free time again, we should consciously make a decision to spend that time wisely!