A couple of months before the New Year I bought a new calendar. I have already penciled-in birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, meetings, etc. For the last few weeks I have been thinking about my time already allotted and how I generally spend my time.

Several thoughts have come to mind but the one that seems to linger is “I need to be more aware of how I use my time.” Especially after I searched the Bible to see what it says about time. Ephesians 5:15-16 sheds light on an awareness of it, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

The Apostle Paul in the previous verses of Ephesians 5:15-16 had reprimanded the believers in Ephesus for living like unbelievers whose actions should not even be spoken about. Verses 15-16 are his directions on how to conduct their lives to please God. Pay attention to how they live, not like unwise men (those who have rejected the Gospel) but wise men (those who believe in Jesus, have knowledge of God’s word and rightly apply it to everyday life). Further Paul implores them to not waste their time. Assumedly, he was instructing them to be diligent servants of God pursuing opportunities to serve and worship Him. Why these directions? Paul says the “days are evil.” I only have to look around to know that I live in such days as well.

Time is valuable and I can never get it back once it has passed. The question for me is what will I do with my time? My calendar now has Ephesians 5:15-16 written at the top of each page as a reminder of how I am to make the most of time.

Gracious God, remind me often to make the most of my time each day. Your Word instructs me on how to live wisely, help me to read and understand it and to apply it to my life daily. In Christ’s name, Amen.