For many people, holidays are about to begin for 2 weeks and there will be a bit more spare time. As I have thought about time, I wanted to float an idea that could be little more than a lead balloon.
Time. We never have enough. We grumble when we use too much, when it passes to quickly or when we have wasted it. It is a precious commodity.
So when someone does something for us, we will often say, “Thanks for giving up your time”. Now I think such a statement is nonsense.
I understand the sentiment. People have literally “given their time for us” and we want to thank people for doing so. But what exactly are we saying through the words “giving up your time”? What I hear is, “I know this has been an inconvenience because you have a 1000 things you could be doing to benefit you in whatever way you want rather than helping us”.
But is our time really ours? Can we choose to do whatever we desire? As a Christian, we must answer NO to this. God has given us time, but it is not entirely up to us to choose how to use it.
God tells us in Romans 13:11 that we must understand the present time. “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed”. In our passage this week in Ephesians we hear that we must “Make the most of every opportunity”. Time is short and must be used profitably.
Paul also instructs us to put aside the deeds of darkness and clothe ourselves with Christ. I take it that means, live like Christ has called us to and therefore use every moment of your time to show others how great Jesus is and to serve his people.
So your time is not yours to give away, it is yours to use in God’s service. You will live for the number of days God has predetermined for you and the question is, will you use each one of those days for his benefit and glory.
So next time someone comes and helps you out, don’t thank them for “giving up their time” because their time is not theirs to give up. Thank and encourage them for “using their time well by serving you and glorifying God”.
What do you think?
In Christ,
Nigel