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Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
I love vacations. It’s something about the slower pace of the day that opens my ears and heart to hear the Lord clearly. He’s been teaching me so much more about the beauty of rest and rhythm that I felt compelled to share.
Everyday there is always something to do. In my house, there’s always a load of laundry, or a room to be cleaned. Or at work, there’s usually some project to work on or writing to get completed. As you read this, I’m sure you’ve thought of one or two pending items of your own. Each day, we get up with tasks to acomplish in order to lead “productive” lives. And I don’t know about you, but I can get lost in my to-do list….so much so, that I get frustrated when things don’t go as planned and I wind up having to take more time than I originally alotted. This usually creates a neverending domino effect and my original pristinely planned schedule winds up tossed to the side.
One night, it took me longer to clean up the living room before heading to begin my nightly routine, which includes reading the Bible and prayer time. I contemplated skipping my Bible study and writing my prayers for a quick “Thank you, God” while I slid into bed…. but God showed me that my to-do lists are like water. Water flows with little regard for things around it. If you spill water on the counter, it goes everywhere. Without boundaries, water can seep into whatever it wants. And just like spilled water, those little cleaning tasks overflowed into time carved out for intimacy with the Father. Those missing 10-15 minutes and “I’ll skip it this time” will erode my relationship with God.
Lack of boundaries with our time comes with a cost. Areas of our lives get neglected and we suffer as a result. This is why Ephesians 5:15-17 carries such wisdom. There is an expectation to use our time wisely. And not only that but to use it in alignment with the will of God. How can you understand His will if you’re not spending time with Him? How can you use time wisely without asking our Wisdom filled Heavenly Father?
The demands of home, work, or just life in general, will never cease. But, we can’t allow our to-do lists to interfere with time that is dedicated to the Lord. Honor the boundaries that protect your time with God. Be fully present at church. Hold space in your day for one on one time with the Lord. When we honor our relationship with God, we show up in life with renewed purpose, strength, and joy. If you’re noticing the distance between you and the Father, look at your schedule/to-do lists and see if you’ve used your time wisely…
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The passage illustrates the importance of being a beacon of light in dim, dark places, as guided by Luke 11:33-36. One must not let comfort lead to dulled awareness, but instead consciously illuminate one’s environment. It urges self-reflection on how one’s personal light can lead others towards embracing Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer 11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone
The Beatitudes 20 And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your
I have been lost a time or two. Usually, because I got distracted and wandered off the intended path. Whatever sparked my interest was enough to cause me to lose sight of my intended destination. In this passage, we find Jesus as a child, so focused on His Father’s business that he wanders off from his parents. In my own life, I’ve found that I’m not prone to wander towards my father’s business….but away from it.
If you or someone close to you is in need, we would be honored to lift you up in prayer. We believe in the power of prayer to bring peace, comfort, and reassurance during times of hardship. Our community is ready to join together and pray as we trust in God’s love and unending grace.
