Redeeming the Time
   By Patricia Chadwick
HistorysWomen.com

Time is an elusive thing.  It slips away from us so easily, leaving us wondering if we have indeed used our time wisely. 

As the New Year rolls around we begin taking stock of the past year.  We
ask ourselves many questions.  What have we accomplished?  Did we keep any of our New Year Resolutions?  Were we productive in our service to the Lord?  Did we meet any of our goals?  As we look over the past year, we can’t help but wonder if we made the best use of our time.

Time is an elusive thing.  It slips away from us so easily, leaving us wondering if we have indeed used our time wisely.  We are greatly influenced by the clock, so we must consider the role that time
plays in Godly living.

We need to realize that time is short.  No matter what our age, we are only on earth a short time in comparison with eternity.  And time is fleeting.  If we don’t discipline ourselves in the use of our time, we will never complete the work that God has given us to do.  Time is also uncertain; we never know how much of it we have.  James 4:14 tells us that our life is a “vapor” that vanishes as quickly as it came.  Time is also easily lost.  While it often seems abundant, we need to realize that time is more precious than money because no amount of money can buy us time.  And lost time cannot be regained.  Once it is lost, it is gone forever.

In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul tells us to walk “circumspectly”.  This means we are to walk carefully and cautiously, being aware of every step we take and where it leads us.  We are to be aware of how we are living.  We are also instructed to “redeem” or “safeguard” our time.  If we are not careful of how we use our time, we will be easily led astray and away from Godly living.

It’s important to remember that we are accountable to God for the
use of our time.  Romans 14:12 tells us that the day will come when we
will have to give an account of ourselves to God.  This refers to the
Christian and non-Christian alike.  Yes, we are saved by grace and not by
works, but in Heaven, our rewards will be based on our works.  We need to evaluate how we use our time and start spending it in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord.

Patricia Chadwick is a freelance writer.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and has been a stay-at-home mom for 15 years.  She lives with her husband John and her 4 children in Batavia, NY.  You can contact Patti at (716)343-2810 or e-mail her at patti.chadwick@juno.com .

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