time

It's ironic that my blog is called "time on my hands" when I feel like I don't have much of that lately.  However, while I might not have time on my hands in terms of free time I do have time on my hands in the sense of opportunity.  Last year I was inspired by my dad to meditate on a verse in Ephesians about redeeming the time.  It is found in chapter five verse sixteen:

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time"

I hadn't thought about that verse in awhile, but I have been reading a book by Oswald Sanders called "Spiritual Leadership" and he addresses the issue of time, referencing this very passage.  I was brought back to the many times I thought about this verse and how it related to my life! I have to remind myself every day that I really do have time on my hands because God has me in His. I need to evaluate the best us of my time...redeem the time...cash it in for all it's worth.  God gave us 24 hours in a day for a reason and as Sanders says there is always enough time to do the will of God, we just have to use it wisely!  God is faithful in providing opportunities and resources, our faithfulness is displayed in what we do with what we are given.  

Redeem the time...it truly is on our hands and we will be accountable for what we choose to use that time for.  I know there are better things I could do with my time than I always do, but as I continue to seek God I am confident that He will continue to nudge me and refine me especially in my use of the time He gives me!  Many people say that they cannot find enough time to spend in the word, or praying and meditating, or even find enough time to visit with people.  Sanders quotes someone as saying that he doesn't find the time he TAKES the time...I want to TAKE the time to live my life in a way that is pleasing to God so that at the end of my life I can say that I truly redeemed the time and lived wisely before Him!