Timely Discipline
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how I’ve been spending my time. My schedule varies from day to day and week to week because sometimes I am teaching a weekly series of lessons and sometimes I am teaching for a weekend retreat. One requires a much more intensive study than the other. My other responsibilities also tend to shift from week to week so it’s very hard for me to have a set schedule.
Other than the teaching and ministry opportunities I like to fit in exercise and time with friends. I have to discipline myself about these things because no one checks on me or even knows if I do them or not (nor is there anyone who monitors how much time I spend on them). If I am not disciplined, things won’t get done! Because no alarms go off and few appointments interrupt my time I could decide to play around on the computer and find myself still there six hours later.
One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:23). That means that as a Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, I am able to control my desires and discipline my use of time so that I am productive for the Lord. Some days I miss the mark. I go into the day fully intending to study and write and get my work done in the house but somewhere I get lost in something and the list never gets checked off.
On days like that if I see verses like this one, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16) I wonder how sinful it is to waste so much of a day. I do think that God will hold us accountable for the use of our time – it is limited. He wants us to use it wisely and for His glory and our own godliness. 1 Timothy 6:11 says we are to pursue godliness. My guess is that too much time spent on facebook and computer games isn’t going to fall into that category.
So, I need a fresh start, a new resolve for the new year as I presume many of us do. My resolutions usually have to do with weight or physical exercise, areas of discipline I have always struggled with. This year though, I am going right for holiness. I need to use my time and the gifts God has given me to serve Him more wisely than I have been.
As I thought about it I realized Paul said it better than I ever could in Colossians 3:2. It is my New Year’s resolution to “Set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” This does not mean that I won’t be on facebook or that I won’t enjoy a game or two of FreeCell. I do think that God allows for rest and enjoyment. But, I want to make sure that the things above are getting the majority of my time – every day.
From a strictly human perspective, there is no person who watches how we spend our time. However, from an eternal perspective there is an Authority over me who sees exactly how I spend my time and how you spend yours. I know that if I do not consciously decide every day to keep my mind on Him and on the things He has for me to do I will not do them.
These are acts of self-discipline — to remind ourselves that we are here to bring honor, glory, and worship to God in all we do. So, let’s let that be our checkpoint when we go to do anything, stop and ask, “will this honor, glorify, or worship God?” If it does – go to it!
I pray that He will richly bless you with wisdom and grace for 2010. Happy New Year!