We are at the starting line of a new year. In Ephesians 5:15-17 we read,
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
This version of Scripture interprets rather than directly translating the metaphor in Ephesians 5:16, calling us to make the best use of our time. The wording of the metaphor is “Redeeming the time.” The word translated, “redeeming,” can mean to buy something back like redeeming something that has been pawned. We must redeem or make the most of every minute of our lives.
Let me make a few applications of this verse.
Redeeming the meaning of our lives
How much time have you spent praying about God's purpose for your life? No success, no pleasure, nor impressive appearance will be as fulfilling as living in the will of God.
Redeeming the relationships of our lives
What can you do today to improve or restore your relationships? Relationships take time and energy. Do you pray for family members with whom your relationship is strained or broken?
Redeeming the completion of our lives
I used to run in Long distance races. Of course, describing those races as long distance is relative. To a marathon runner, a half-marathon is a medium distance race. So, from their point of view, 5 and 10Ks are shorter competitions. The most difficult race I ever ran was the Sound to Narrows 12K in Tacoma Washington. Many runners consider it to be twice as difficult as most 10K races. This is partly because of the hills and dips along the Puget Sound shoreline. And its final mile rises uphill all the way to the end. But however difficult your race, you have to run every step of it.
I remember running another race where I did not know the course before it began. I topped a hill toward the end and saw the finish line hardly more than a hundred yards ahead of me. Had I known it was so close I would have begun my final kick earlier.
In Psalm 90:12 Moses wrote,
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
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