In Ephesians St. Paul tells us to redeem the time because the days are evil. That means we can recover what we lost before we came to know the Lord and make progress in the things of God. Romans 8:1 tells us that there is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk after the flesh but after the Spirit. So realize we were all in darkness making bad choices, blind to the things of God, in days past, but if our eyes have been opened, if we begin to see in the Spirit, if we can discern between good and evil, if we begin to walk in the Spirit, we can redeem the time. Redeeming the time may mean spending time in the word rather than spending time on the computer, telephone, or TV. Redeeming the time may mean passing up social events to spend time in solitude and silence, communing with God through nature and soft instrumental music. Redeeming the time may mean learning hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs rather than secular music, learning how to praise and worship God through scripture and spiritual writings. Redeeming the time may mean not loving merely in word or tongue but in deed and in truth, sacrificing time in ministry to orphans or widows, shut-ins, or hospital dwellers. Redeeming the time may mean redirecting your finances from secular pleasure to spiritual charity. In God there is no time. In the world we live in time. However, if we learn how to commune with God, we can experience the eternal now, living in the Spirit and not in the world. Just like going to a good movie, hours can seem like minutes, the trials and tribulations of life can disappear from our thoughts, joy and happiness can replace worry and fear, and we can be engaged and consumed by God rather than the world. Much of what we really value can be determined by the amount of time we spend with it. If we really value God and the things of the Spirit, we will make choices that utilize our time in pursuit of the Spirit rather than the pursuit of the world and of the flesh. Just by taking an inventory of how we spend our time will indicate where we have to redeem the time. By being a good steward of your time, you become an instrument of God for good rather than evil. Redeem the time. amen |