Time Management

Time Management Ephesians 5:15-20 Ephesians has been called the “Queen of the Epistles”. (Epistle is a letter to a group of people.) It has been called that because it contains the basic teachings of the Christian faith about what God has done for humanity, and it also gives basic directions to believers about how they should live. The epistle can be divided into two parts. The first 3 chapters focus upon God’s acts of salvation and our identity as the children of God. The last 3 chapters focus upon the Christian life, that is, what people who call themselves children of God are supposed to do. This part of the epistles says that people have a choice: they can either be wise or foolish. Earlier, Paul has described the choice by saying that people can live in the light, or live in darkness. He also writes about those who are foolish, and those who understand God’s will. And he also says that believers should not be drunk with wine, but should be filled with God’s Spirit. Paul also writes about time, and says that people should make the most of their time. Or, another way of saying it is, that it is important for people to manage their time. Each one of us makes important choices about how we use our time. Some choices seem routine; other choices seem to have significant implications. Paul has several things to say about using our time wisely. Using our time wisely is not automatic. It seems to come more naturally to us to let time pass us by, to just go with the flow, and do whatever we feel like doing at the time. Paul writes that Christians should be filled with the Spirit and that means also being led by the Spirit. If we are to use our time wisely, it means that we will follow the leading of God’s Spirit and do our best to do the will of God. Using our time wisely is not just about getting more information. It is not just about what we know, but it is also about how we use the information that we know. And, when it comes to doing God’s will, we never finish learning, and we never have fully arrived. There is always more to experience, and areas to grow as we aim to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Using our time wisely means acknowledging that the world around us does not encourage us to make the most of our time. There are many things that call for our time, but not all of them are important. The world around us, and our culture, have not always lived up to God’s hopes and dreams. Using our time wisely is a matter of putting Christ’s will into action. It does not involve reckless abandon and self-indulgence. But it involves being willing to serve and make sacrifices. “Make your life count for something important.” Using our time wisely involves worship. That means more than just worship services, but includes any time of the week or day that we may make a connection with God. Worship is both conscious and unconscious, vertical & horizontal, personal & corporate. It can involve singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs – to each other, and to God. Use your time wisely; make the most of your time. Make wise choices. Be filled with God’s Spirit. Choose who you will serve – yourself or God. Make your life count for something important – in the name of Christ, and for the sake of God’s kingdom.