"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15–16
Do you realize that there is an unseen conflict going on for your time? Because the days are evil, Ephesians 5:16 exhorts believers to make the most of their time. What does that mean? Making the most of your time is a phrase used in accounting. Literally, it means to “redeem” the time that God has given you by recovering from another's power or purchasing something for one's own purpose. God wants you to maximize the use of your time. He wants you to make the most of every moment of your life. The life of Jesus has the solution to this.
The way Christ lived His own life and used His own time is the basis for the biblical principle of redeeming time. Jesus was both wholly God and totally man; thus, he had to live within the confines of a 24-hour day. Like you, He was on a strict schedule. So how could He “find the time” to fulfill the mission that God had given Him? Important versus urgent is the distinction that provides the solution.
In his famous quote, President Dwight D. Eisenhower noted that “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.” Jesus placed a greater priority on the important than the urgent. He refused to let the demands of life dictate how He spent His time. How do you determine what is urgent against what is important? Despite the long-term consequences, urgent chores need your attention right away. However, a crucial activity will always advance your long-term objectives, even if it doesn't call for immediate action.
Jesus was aware that the urgent would take up the majority of His time if the important didn't get put on His calendar first. If we want to redeem our time like Christ did, we must take lessons from His example. Why does God tell us to redeem time? Because “the days are evil,” as stated in Ephesians 5:16. In this passage, the term “evil” is defined as “full of annoyances and hardships.” The days are therefore packed with urgent matters that may or may not be important.
Are you using your time effectively? Try not to let the urgent matters of the day control you. Consider the bigger picture and look beyond your current situation.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me distinguish between the important and the urgent. Today, I wish to lead a wise life. I'm grateful for another day to get to know You and spread Your name.
