Redeeming the Time – Making Every Moment Count

Imagine if you knew the exact amount of time you had left on Earth. How would you choose to spend it?

Every day we are granted 24 hours—no more, no less. Regardless of wealth, race, or intellect, the allocation is the same for all.

Yet, many of us find ourselves echoing a common refrain: "I just don't have enough time." This lament is common whether we’re juggling work, family, or personal goals. But what if we're approaching our time the wrong way? What if the secret lies not in having more time but in using the time we have more wisely?

Today, we will reflect on what it means to not just to pass time, but to redeem it, making every moment count for something greater.

Understanding Time from a Biblical Perspective

In Psalm 90:12 (NIV), we find a prayer that rings deeply with anyone feeling the crush of unmet goals and fleeting days: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

This plea to understand the brevity of life is at the heart of what it means to "redeem the time." Time, from a biblical perspective, isn't just a sequence of events; it's a canvas for action. It's a call to understand the time we have and to live wisely within the time allotted to us.

Teachings from Psalm 90:12

The request to "number our days" in Psalm 90:12 is a plea for wisdom. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we must use our time in a way that aligns with wisdom and purpose. Every decision and action should reflect a conscious choice to use time well, not just to fill it.

Insights from James 4:13-15

James 4:13-15 speaks to the uncertainty of life: "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'" This passage warns against the arrogance of assuming we have control over time and future events. It teaches us to live each day with humility and a recognition of God’s sovereignty.

Job 14:5 on the Brevity of Life

In Job 14:5, we are reminded, "A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed." This scripture highlights that our time on earth is not only limited but also set by divine decree. Knowing this, how should we then live? What legacy do we aim to leave?

The Value of Time

How often have you wished for more hours in the day? Perhaps for a 36-hour day or an eight-day week? It's a common desire that points to our chronic struggle with time management. Time is a precious, non-renewable resource, and it’s given equally to each of us. Yet, we often fail to appreciate this gift until it's running out.

Understanding Time as a Gift

Time is a precious, non-renewable resource, and it’s given equally to each of us. Yet, we often fail to appreciate this gift until it's running out. Psalm 90:12 offers profound advice: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This scripture isn't just about counting days; it's about making days count. It's a call to understand the brevity of life and to live wisely within the time allotted to us.

Common Time Mismanagement

How often do you find yourself wishing for a 36-hour day? This wishful thinking highlights a significant misunderstanding about time. We don't need more time; we need to manage our existing time better. Reflect on this: are we spending time on what truly matters or are we caught up in activities that don’t align with our deeper values and goals?

Our failure to make the most of our time often stems from a misalignment of our priorities, or a misunderstanding of what's truly important. Are we stewards of our time, or are we squandering it?

Practical Ways to Redeem the Time

To begin redeeming our time, we must first identify what consumes it. Are your hours filled with purposeful activities or lost to the void of unimportant tasks?

Here are a few effective yet practical tips to guide you:

• Prioritize Wisely: Start your day by identifying the top three things that align with your long-term goals and spiritual growth.

• Eliminate Distractions: Cut down time spent on social media or entertainment that does not add value to your life.

• Set Time Limits: Allocate specific times for tasks and stick to them to enhance productivity and prevent one activity from overtaking your day.

The Role of Planning and God's Will

While planning is essential, James reminds us of the folly of boasting about tomorrow without acknowledging the will of God: "Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:15 NIV).

This balance between planning and living in the present, under the guidance of God’s will, is crucial. It teaches us to hold our plans loosely and seize the opportunities that each day presents.

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

We are called not just to pass through life, but to make a difference. This means being intentional about how we use our time, choosing activities that have eternal significance.

Serving others, deepening our relationships, growing in faith—these are the endeavors that stand the test of time. Every day offers a new chance to impact the world around us positively.

The Urgency of the Gospel

John 9:4 on Working While It Is Day

John 9:4 urgently reminds us, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." This verse is a call to action. It compels us to work diligently for God’s purposes before our time runs out. Each day is an opportunity not to be wasted.

Conclusion

As we reflect on redeeming the time, let us challenge ourselves to live each day to its fullest. Do not let the sun set on wasted opportunities or unexpressed love.

Remember, while we cannot extend the hours in a day, we can fill them with purpose, passion, and pursuit of God's will. Let this understanding transform your approach to each day, inspiring you to live deliberately and wisely.

Consider this: Are you making the most of your life, or will you find yourself wishing for more time? The choice is yours, and the time to start is now.

Choose today to make a difference with the time you have been given. Embrace the challenge to live a life that truly counts.

Prayer for Redeeming the Time

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for each day You bless us with. Lord, You teach us through Your Word that our time on earth is limited and precious. Help me to see each day as a gift and to use it according to Your will. Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom, as described in Psalm 90:12.

Lord, help me to prioritize my time wisely, focusing first on You and Your kingdom. Grant me the discernment to know how best to use my time, to recognize the tasks that are of eternal significance, and to avoid distractions that pull me away from Your purposes.

I ask for strength to resist the urge to fill my days with busyness that lacks meaning. Instead, empower me to make choices that reflect my commitment to You and to serving others. Let my actions each day declare Your love and grace.

Lord, as I plan and dream, remind me to submit all to Your sovereign will, as James instructs us. Help me to say with confidence, "If the Lord wills," recognizing that my ultimate purpose is to align with holy will

In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen.