Column by Bro. Terry Ivy
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) How do we redeem the time when it will not stand still? Like a wild chicken on a prairie range, time is always running and out of reach. We step into it, then suddenly, that moment has slipped through our fingers and become the past. Heraclitus said, “We cannot step into the same river twice. Both the river and the man have changed.”
Time races away like a cheetah in a turtle racing contest. Just when we feel we are wrestling it into our favor, another slice of time moves in and changes our perception and focus. You may be on vacation, then get a call that a friend has died—instantly, the vacation loses its pleasure.
One phone call from a doctor or family member with devastating news can alter our situation and reverse the moment of time. Time is the brutal reminder that change happens at the drop of a hat. “I don’t have time” or “My time is running out” are just a couple of statements we hear regularly. However, every person has the same amount of time every day—24 hours.
The important question is, “What are we doing with our time?” Young parents chase the almighty dollar, only to realize, usually when it is too late, that they sacrificed their children on the world’s altar of vanity. People think they have all the time in the world to teach their children about the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, only to realize the kids were thrown into the idolatry of sports and hobbies. When our children have not seen faithfulness to church in our life, they will abandon the need in their life.
We can’t capture time, but we can redeem it. We must look beyond the short-sighted vision that plagues most in society and be sure we are planting the good seed of priorities and godly habits in our children. If we raise them as fools who place everything before attendance to church, we should not be surprised when they act as fools whose hearts have been fashioned by the spirit of the age.
Redeeming the time is to use the time afforded to us to engage in eternal events that will last a lifetime and beyond. Your children may be able to tell you the names of the top ten songs in secular music, but do they know the books of the New Testament? Perhaps they can discuss the latest fashions, but what do they know how to walk in peace, truth, mercy, and grace? They may know how to 'fight for their rights,' but do they know how to repent for their sin and forgive those who have wronged them?
When we redeem the time, we look at things through the eternal eyes of Christ, making decisions that will leave bread crumbs for our children to follow. Through our example, we can leave a witness to our children about how the Holy Spirit wants to guide them.
We all have 24 hours each day. So, for the sake of our children and grandchildren, let us…Redeem the Time!
