Redeeming the time

We aren't one of those families that is a slave to the calendar with multiple ballgames, recitals, play dates, etc., going on every single day of the week, but we are a pretty busy bunch with church activities, school and homework, dance class once a week for the girls, a son whose role it is to physically exhaust us, and all of the quality sports and LOST that has to be watched on my HD TV. 

So during the course of normal day there isn't a whole lot of down time.  But when there is free time, it can be a struggle to figure out how to spend it.  Do I read a book, watch TV, work on a personal project, or fill out an extra set of NCAA brackets?  I want to make the most of every minute of every day and make sure that whatever I do brings honor to God. 

Ephesians 5:16 tells us that we are to be about "making the most of the time, because the days are evil."  This tells us that whatever time we have on our hands, whether it's a few minutes or the better part of a day, we need to maximize it and not waste it.  Every minute of every day is precious.  If you are at work, then you are to do your job to the best of your ability while you are on the clock.  If you are practice then you owe it to your coach to make every minute count on the field or the court.  If you are doing your schoolwork then you owe it to yourself not to procrastinate so that the work you turn in will be the best that you can give. 

What about the time that you spend with the Lord?  I have had to discipline myself to get up earlier than I normally would like to in order to spend enough time in communion with God in personal Bible study, prayer, and other reading.  If I purposefully mismanage or even blow off these chances to spend time with God, then I am going to suffer the spiritual consequences of it.

But notice what else this verse tells us: "the days are evil".  This means that there are more than enough time-killers out there that will take advantage of the time that you have and cause you to spend it in ways that don't glorify God.  Are you stuck at home with nothing to do?  Be careful about spending too much time on the internet or surfing the TV channels because you know that there are lots of harmful things there.  Do you and your friends find yourselves bored, struggling to find things to do on the weekend?  Avoid being involved in senseless activities that might not only damage your reputation but also your relationship with God. 

Time is perhaps the most valuable commodity that you have.  You don't have to pay anything for it but the price can be high if you waste it.  The next time you find yourself with too much free time on your hands seek the Lord's guidance on how to spend it for His glory (or you can always come babysit our kids so that we can go on a date!).