Faith along the way

I have a birthday coming up in a few months. As I contemplate this upcoming birthday, it doesn’t seem like I should be as old as I am. Where has the time gone? Time has a curious way of affecting us. When an exciting event is coming up, it often seems like time slows down and we can’t wait for that day. Milestones that come to mind: waiting to turn 16 to get your driver’s license, graduations, special vacation trips, getting married, retirement…any number of things we look forward to. Looking back on our life sometimes, we often ask ourselves, as I just mentioned, “Where has the time gone?”…. Where? Very soon it will have been 8 years since my precious dad went home to be with the Lord, and 7 years since my equally precious mom went home to be with the Lord. It seems like forever. It seems like yesterday. Again, a curious mix of how time affects us.

What does scripture tell us about time? Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a season for everything, a time for every purpose under heaven. Another scripture that comes to mind is Colossians 4:5 (NKJV) which says, “Walk in wisdom to those who are outside, redeeming the time”. Redeeming the time means we are to take advantage of ministry opportunities, opportunities to share the gospel, opportunities to share Christ’s redeeming love because time is short. We are to take advantage of those opportunities today because we may not have the opportunity tomorrow. Also, walking in wisdom tells us that we should be wise about our behavior and our behavior should be a witness to our relationship with Christ. People watch how we behave, and our behavior is a witness to the world, to those who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior. To the best of our ability and in the strength of the Lord, we are to be a witness for Him.

Ephesians 5:15-16 also speaks to redeeming the time and tells us we are to walk wisely. Because our time on earth is limited, we should take each day as an opportunity to further the kingdom of Christ, to live wisely according to the will of our Lord, to take advantage of those open doors to encourage others, and to tell others about Jesus.

Today is the day. We have today, without the promise of tomorrow. What are we going to do with this day we’ve been given? Time is precious, and each day a gift from God. We are to redeem the time or buy up those opportunities, which is what that phrase means. Tell those we love that we love them while we can, look for opportunities to be kind and to be encouraging, say yes to those open doors of ministry opportunities God places in our path, and show the love of Christ to those around us. Redeem the time. After all, don’t we have the best new of all to proclaim? We have the Good News of the gospel to share! It’s time. Praise His name!

Glory to God and His blessings to you,

Jackie