Redeem The Time

Is there a commodity in today's society that is more precious than time? In the ancient days, perfumes and fine fragrance oils were a precious commodity before running household water and daily bathing rituals. Land was a precious commodity in the days following Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World when the explorers and their kings would risk life and limb, fame and fortune to claim a little more land. And financial treasure - whether gems or metals, gold or silver, paper or plastic - has always had a place in trade and commerce and signified the powerful influence of money. But yet, I am prone to agree with the Jewish Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man when he boldly states, "Every hour is unique and the only one given at the moment, exclusive and endlessly precious."


In fact, in the last 45 seconds, you have graciously given me something I can never give back - your time. Once the second hand clicks to the next mark on the face of the watch, it can never be turned back, made up, or caught again. That moment is gone. And the question for each of us, then, is to examine what we do with this precious treasure. Jesus told his followers in Matthew 7 "Don't give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet" (Matthew 7:6, HCSB). Yet, how do we spend this precious treasure in our lives?

First, realize the fleeting nature of time. The older I get, the more I realize how precious time is. I am not perfect in living as I should, but God has been teaching me lately that every second, minute, hour and day is His and while I may feel that I have many more to come, I am not guaranteed another breath. I must make the most of each moment knowing that time stops for no one. Jesus taught his followers this lesson in John 9 when He said "We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work." And he even spelled out for them that this work was to change the world when he followed it with these poignant words "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:4-5, HCSB). Christ understood that His time of earthly ministry was limited, but as long as He was here in bodily form, He was working toward the Kingdom cause!

Second, spend your time glorifying God. Ask yourself the question "Is this something that is adding to or taking away from the Kingdom of God?" This will keep you focused on the preeminent value of the treasure of time: time is a gift from God for us to use to glorify Him. Paul reminded the church in Colossae of this when he said "And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17, HCSB). Everything you do, from taking out the trash to taking in the homeless is to be done in the name of Christ and for the glory of God.

When we as Christians grasp these concepts, it is then that we can be considered wise: "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- making the most of the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16, HCSB). Some translations use the word "redeem" or "buy back" to translate the concept of making the most of time in this passage. Today, redeem your time. Treasure it and claim it for God's glory.