DAILY READING
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REFLECTION
Redeeming the Time
by Mary Alice McGinnis
It may sound a little morbid, but I am captivated by cemeteries. I am especially intrigued by older tombstones. As I read the names, the dates of birth and death, it causes me to ponder.
“What was their life like?
Who were their family members and friends?
What struggles did they have in life?
What did they worry about?
How long did they live?
Whose lives did they touch?”
All this pondering reminds me afresh how frail we are, and how short life on this side of heaven truly is. My desire in all this pondering is to redirect my heart to what really matters.
I believe that is at the heart of what Paul is telling us today.
Paul begins chapter 5 of Ephesians (vs 1-2) , “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
We are God’s dearly loved children! We have been given a precious opportunity – to live our lives FOR HIM!
In today’s reading, I find the New King James wording of these verses fascinating.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Two phrases jumped out at me when I read them.
First, “walk circumspectly.”
Other versions translate this word as “be careful how you live.” But circumspectly has a broader meaning. Miriam Webster defines it as:
“careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : PRUDENT.
Circumspect . . . implies looking before you leap but puts a unique spin on being careful in the face of risk or danger.
Circumspect, which descends from Latin
circum- ("around") and
specere ("to look"), implies the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding (as in "he is circumspect in business dealings").”
Go back and read the verse above again. How does this change how you hear what God is saying to you?
Second, “redeeming the time.”
Redeeming means to ransom, to buy back, at a great price. We have been bought back with the love of Christ, who pour out His life as a fragrant offering for us!
He in return is asking us to use “the time" - meaning this very specific time of our lives - as a fragrant offering back to Him. He has given us this time for a reason!
The story of Esther is one such example of redeeming time! Esther was chosen to be queen. Her cousin Mordecai told her this:
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
(Esther 4:14)
Where is God speaking to your heart right now? What is He asking you to look around you and see? What opportunities has He placed before you to be a part of His Kingdom work here? Where is He asking you to use you to walk circumspectly to use this time, right now, as a redeemed offering of praise back to Him?
PRAYER PRACTICE
Prayer – Reread today's verses once more. Using today’s verses, let us pray this prayer together, as we lift our lives to Him as a fragrant offering, to redeem the time.
Lord, help us understand what Your will is!
We are Your beloved children, help us to walk as children of the light.
Fill us with Your powerful Holy Spirit. Only then will we be enabled to live for you.
Continue to fill us up to the brim with Your Spirit, so our hearts will overflow with praise.
May we always give thanks to You, God our Father, for everything!
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen! Let it be so!
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