Redeeming the time

A new year is:

• The passing of TIME
• An opportunity to redefine our priorities
• An opportunity to redefine our purpose
• An opportunity to redefine our life’s vision
• An opportunity to re-establish worthwhile goals
• An opportunity to bury the past and move into a new future
  Time is a gift from God, and none of us know how much of it we are allotted. Only God knows how much time each of us has on this earth to make decisions that will impact eternity (Psalm 139:16). Ephesians 5: 15 -17 says that “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. “When God says we should be “redeeming the time,” He wants us to live in constant awareness of that ticking clock and make the most of the time we have.
  Each new day brings us 24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86,000 seconds, each moment a precious gift from God each calling for us to be good stewards, mindful that one day we must give an account for how we spent the time God loaned us, how effectively we “bought up” the opportunities He provided. Time is the seed of eternity.” To make our life count for eternity, we must be wise in how we spend our time today.
  Time is a strange commodity-we can’t save it, retrieve it, relive it, stretch it, borrow it, loan it, stop it or store it, but can only use it or lose it.
  There are four wisest ways to redeem our time.
  Spend Time with God: The First Commandment requires that we put God above all else (Exodus 20:2-3). Jesus reiterated this fact, promising also that if we put God first, then He will supply all our physical needs (Matthew 6:33). Yet in this fast-paced society with so many demands on our time, finding adequate time for God can be an elusive goal.
  How can you consistently make time for God each day?
  Simple: You decide to. Each day you must determine to put “first things first.” You make a commitment that God comes first in your daily allocation of 24 hours. redeem my time is making a decision that God is going to get the first and the best of my time. And in order for that to happen…I have to say “no” to some things so that I can say “yes” to HIM. Every day…we must determine that God is going to come first in our daily allotment of 24 hours. If you’ll spend more TIME with GOD…He’ll give you the time of your life!
  Spend Time with Family: Family is deeply important to God. God is a Family, and we were created to become part of that divine family. God desires that we ultimately become unified in a close family relationship with Him. That is why He created the physical family-to prepare us for that future. Thus, family time should be a high priority in our lives. We must be careful that we don’t allow our own “leisure” activities to take the time that would be better redeemed on our family. The time for investing in your family is now:
  If you don’t invest in your FAMILY today…you’ll be sorry tomorrow. Once your kids are grown…you can’t go back and relive their childhood. You can’t go back in time and train them to live Godly lives. Time is limited…and one of the wisest places you can redeem it…is on your family.
  Separate Time for Yourself: Have you ever heard the saying that ‘you can’t keep pouring out of a cup that’s run dry? If you’re running on empty and haven’t given yourself an adequate chance to recharge your batteries and take care of yourself (in whatever way that means to you) then you can’t be the best version of yourself. You won’t be the best parent, partner, daughter, son, friend, employee, or the best you that you can be. Time for yourself is time away from your To-Do list, your list of responsibilities and commitments. It’s time away from the things you HAVE to do each day that sap not only your time but your Spiritual, physical, and mental energy. Jesus set for us a perfect example in all things so we could follow in His footsteps. One time, after His 12 disciples had returned from an unusually grueling stint of traveling and working, so much so that they didn’t even have time to eat proper meals, Christ instructed them to go away, by themselves, to a remote place where they could rest awhile (Mark 6:31). We do need to strive to live balanced lives, exercising moderation in all things (Philippians 4:5). There is a time to commune with God, a time to be with family, a time to work, a time to play, and a time to be alone.
  Spend Time on Others: Scripture is clear…self…shouldn’t be our focus. We aren’t redeeming our time wisely if we’re preoccupied with ourselves. Jesus spent most of his time with 12 Disciples. In Mark 10:43-45, Jesus said, “If you want to be the greatest one, then live as once called to serve others. The path to promotion and prominence comes by having a heart that serves everyone. Jesus said that serving others is one of the wisest ways you could ever choose to redeem your time. Serving others…not yourself…is the way to get ahead in His Kingdom. If you want to make your life count for something…you need to redeem your time on things that count. May the New Year 2022 bring you more happiness, success, love, and blessings! Praying that you have a truly remarkable and blissful year ahead!
  by Bishop Lalachan Abraham