Your Time Matters To God

Ephesians 5:15-18
"Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Hey everyone, can I ask that you lend me a portion of your time as we look closely into this verse together? I assure you that it will not be a waste of your time, but instead, a blessed time as you allow the following 4 pointers to be invested into your spiritual "bank".

A. Examining Your Life
"Be careful how you walk..." (v15) As we have entered into a new year, it will be good to take some time to reflect upon and do some introspection on the days that have passed... to see how your life was.

Was it revolved by things of the world and bound by circumstances... or was it rightly surrendered at His Throne? This verse speaks forth of the future, on how we should be careful to examine the things we do, we think and how we walk with God in our hearts.

B. Redeeming Your Time
"Making the most of your time..." (v16) Making the most of our time and making the most of every opportunity. There isn't such a privilege of buying back time. All the things we have done or not done in the past... we shouldn't let that be constant obstacles and stumbling blocks in our lives, but instead, set our vision ahead and make the most of the time that's yet to come. And well, that very much translates to planning.

C. Determining Your Purpose
"Understand what the will of the Lord is..." (v17) Actually when the will of the Lord was mentioned, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 immediately came to mind.. "to be joyful always, to pray continually... to give thanks in all circumstances... for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Too often people get engrossed with finding the specific will of God for themselves... like what profession to be in, to marry or not to marry... that people tend to overlook the general will... something that all brothers and sisters in Christ are called to - to become more and more like Christ... and live just as how He's lived... to spread the salvation message.

That... ought to be the central purpose. To live as He's lived.

D. Establishing Your Priority
"Be filled with the Spirit..." (v18) Being filled with the Spirit is to lead a life knowing that He's always there guiding and showing the way. But one thing He has left with us... it's our freedom of choice.

We have the freedom to listen... freedom to obey... freedom to take action. The Holy Spirit's still there no doubt... but everytime we go contuary to what is to be done... we quench the Spirit. And that's where decisive action takes place I guess... that we don't wait for the sky to drop (like shouting Tian Ah...) but instead go forth after gettting reassurance and comfort from the Lord that He's always there.

Taking initiative is something that I myself have to learn to grow in as well... not to let circumstances, whether good or bad, take you by the nose... but know that you have the power from On High to turn situations around. Woot!