Making the Most of Your Time

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

One of the characteristics of successful people is that they don’t waste time.  They make the most of every opportunity regardless of the circumstances.  How do you do that?  Since life is a gift from God, and life is time, then we need to take a good look at the way we use our time.  One of my Bible heroes is Paul, the apostle.  He was a giant in the faith!  When he wrote to the church in Ephesus and challenged them to make the most of every opportunity, he provided an example for them through his own life. 

At the time he penned these words, he was in prison for sharing the gospel with others.  Despite the fact he was chained to Roman guards, with not allowed any freedom, he saw opportunity before him and made the most of it.  This would be a defining moment in his life. Since he could no longer continue on his missionary journey to the churches he established or pioneer new ones, he used the time in prison to write letters to those churches that became part of our New Testament today.  And, when he asked for prayer, it is striking to me that he never requested pray that he would be released from prison or that he would be free of the chains that bound him, but instead, that he would boldly continue to speak about Jesus in spite of them. 

Then, in another prison letter to the church in Philippi (See Philippians 1-4), his pages radiated with joy!  How could he remain so joyful, and find opportunity, among such difficult and restricting circumstances?  Being unfairly imprisoned would cause most of us to become bitter, or even just give up, but Paul saw it as one more opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! 

When you compare the two letters that Paul writes from prison, you find the answer.  Paul recognized that being in his current situation wasn’t as important as how he responded to it.  God can use us in any circumstance to do His will.  Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish His plan through us right where we are. 

If you want to make the most of every opportunity, consider that your current state of affairs are not as important as what you do with them.  Seize the day!  Look for where God is at work and your joy will overflow!  To make the most of your time, live for God!  For God’s glory!  For God’s approval! 

Are you making the most of your time for the Lord?    

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