How Do You “Redeem Time”?

I recently spoke with my daughters who were visiting my son and his family in Washington state. Thankfully, all my children seemed happy and having a good time. I asked the proverbial question, “So what are you guys doing?”

My daughter answered, “Just ‘chillin.’” My grandson said, “We’re just ‘hangin’ out, GrandMom.”

It reminded me that whenever my parents planned a vacation, we always went somewhere to do something. My Mom was a teacher, so vacations were learning experiences, usually visiting historical landmarks. If asked “What are you doing?” the answer would be the retelling of the sites seen and experiences enjoyed. We were never “just chillin’” or “hanging out.”

Now I am not saying spending time relaxing with family, catching up and building relationships isn’t a terrific way to spend a vacation, especially when we’ve all been so isolated over the last year and a half, but it also made me consider how we do use our time in general.

I was reminded  of Paul’s words in this version of the Bible which explains the deeper meaning of the original Greek in which these words were written, “ Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 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. Therefore, do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5: 15-17)

When you are with family and friends, do you go into the experience with a desire to “take advantage of each opportunity and use it with wisdom and diligence”? Are you being wise and discerning so that you are making the most of the time, whatever time you are given?

I ask myself that question when I see “the days are filled with evil” as I watch the news and know in a few weeks I am going to finally be with my precious son and grandchildren again.  I ask myself how I can prepare to best spend the time with them. Is there a small gift that will hold meaning, a book that will delight, a thoughtful word I can share to encourage, support, and build up? One thing the pandemic dramatically proved, we do not know if we have tomorrow, so how will we use today?

As we each complete the days we have on this earth, may we understand and firmly grasp what the will of God is so we fulfill His purposes for each day we breath. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “One always has time enough, if one will apply it well.”