Ephesians 5:15-16 Making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. (AMP)
The tombstones in the cemetery which marks the “birth date” and the “death date” is the alarm that reminds us that we are here on earth only for a finite period of time. Sadly, both young and old waste time as if they are going to live on earth forever! Our life can be broken into seasons, periods and phases. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die. The wise recognise and take advantage of every opportunity wisely and diligently. However, the foolish either live in the past, brooding over history or live in the “bliss of the future” without making wise calculative investments in the present that will take them to their destiny. It is not how long we live but how – Philip James Bailey.
Jesus lived only 33 ½ years on earth and shifted the devout from religion to a relationship with their Maker and Creator. He showed us the path to righteous living, sound leadership and purposeful lifestyle. The length of our life cannot be measured by our age but by how much longer we are likely to live. An 80 year old who may live another 5 more years has a longer lifespan than a 20 year old who may die prematurely at the age of 22. We have no control over our lifespan, hence, we must live everyday uprightly, decisively and fruitfully.
Three differences between wise and foolish living:
1. Energy: If we recount where our energy is spent we can analyse if we are silly or sane. Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. Don’t waste your energy in proving, establishing and validating your actions, decisions and intentions. Make righteous choices and do what Christ would do at all times. Envy, hatred and pride consumes more energy than love. Our energy must be spent in imitating Christ.
2. Effort: Godlikeness is not tough, unachievable or difficult. We are designed to live like Him. Ephesians 5: 8-9 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth). All we have to do is to turn the light on, over our lives. When we channelize our efforts to see, hear and respond as Jesus did, we would automatically live virtuously as Christ did.
3. Entertainment: Stay away from cheap pleasures, vim-fancies and secretive perversion. Secretive lives are spiritually destructive and deadly. Ephesians 5:3-4 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Those who live their life casually and carelessly, end up in casualty. Bad environment destroys Godly destiny.
When our energy, effort and enjoyment are spent wisely, we will employ our time on earth productively.
Ephesians 5: 17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I have no control over the length of my life but I do over the longevity of my influence. Help me to make wise choices, diligent decisions, intelligent judgements and live virtuously. Amen
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