Time is wasting

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

I love it when God hits me over the head with something I need to learn by presenting the same truth to me several times. This happened when I saw Ephesians 5:15-16 in a number of different places in one day which says: “Be very careful, then, how you live,not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Okay, Lord, I understand that we are to make the most of every opportunity, but what does “the days are evil” mean?  In search of an answer, I found a couple commentaries and came up with the following treasure:

“Because the days are evil, because the times in which you live are evil, there are many allurements and temptations that would lead you away from that the proper improvement of time . . . and that would draw you into sin . . . to go places where time would be wasted.”  (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)

 

As I read this quote, I felt I haven’t been caught up with “allurements and temptations” not of God, but in questions of what I should do: “God, what do you want me to do? Lord, should I speak at this event or that one? Lord, do you want me to start another radio program? I’m not sure. I don’t know what I feel I should do.”

It was as if the Lord was reminding me, “Stop wasting time by emotionally spinning and becoming immobilized and paralyzed with your feelings, if you should do this or that.  Just get busy for me. I will guide you as you move forward and work. You don’t have an unlimited amount of time.”

I immediately thought of someone I once knew who spent years agonizing over how they where supposed to serve God. they sat at home doing nothing while their emotions led them into inactivity. In the meantime, time was wasting.’ Tragically, the days they could have been serving Him were lost.

When we spend our days languishing in indecision, we can spend so much time wondering what we should do for Christ that we do nothing at all. We must remember that eternity is closing in, and that we only have a limited amount of time to make a difference. We must also remember there are a myriad of ways to serve Christ and show His love for others. All we have to do is look around and ask God to show us opportunities in our churches, neighborhoods, and even our own homes. The opportunities to serve and use our gifts and talents are limitless.

Perhaps this speaks to you today. If you don’t know what to do, do something. There are plenty of ways He has clearly shown us to serve Him in His Word while you wait on Him for more direction. What do you say? Let’s get busy for Christ. He will guide us as we work for Him and listen to Him.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16).