CALLED TO COMPASSION
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)
How angry would it make you feel to be called a fool? On the flip side, how humbling would it be for someone to call you wise? I think we can all agree that we would certainly rather be known as the latter, yet I’m afraid that all of us are foolish in some ways. In the passage above, Paul calls us to be careful about how we live. Sadly, many of us are just haphazardly flailing our way through life without an ounce of intentionality. To be wise, we must make the most of every opportunity we’re given. Other translations of Ephesians 5:16 call us to redeem the time. The truth is this: our time is our most valuable commodity. Once it’s spent, you can’t ever get it back or get more. So, we must be cognizant of how we’re investing our time.
Paul goes on to say that we must understand what the Lord wants us to do. He contrasts this idea with someone who acts thoughtlessly. If you’re on autopilot, just taking life as it comes, then it’s possible you’re missing what God has in store for you. We’re not saved just to go to heaven when we die. If that were the case, God could beam us up at the moment we surrender to Christ. We’re given a mission to share the Good News.
Take a moment to consider how you spend time with those closest to you. Are your interactions intentional? Are you redeeming the time? Or do your conversations tend to consist of mostly surface-level things? Or things that just won’t matter or last in the long run? It might feel more comfortable to keep things light, but at some point, the compassionate thing to do is to have some Gospel-centric conversations.
APPLICATION:
How well would you say you’re using the God-appointed time you’ve been given on this earth? Are you being intentional in your relationships? Would you say you have a strong grasp of what the Lord wants you to do? Reflect on these questions and then ask God what He wants you to know as you seek to grow and move forward.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to redeem the time You’ve given me. In the midst of the evil of this world, help me live with Your wisdom and discernment. Grant me the boldness to stand for You and point others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?