Being Careful with My Time

In Ephesians 5:15-16 I read, “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.” (NLT)

Paul communicates his sense of urgency because of evil's pervasiveness. I need the same sense of urgency because my days are also difficult. I must keep my standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever I can.

Time is a precious commodity. I only have a limited amount of it!

It’s estimated that people will live an average of 72 years, or 26,000 days. I may think I’ve got plenty of days left, but I'm more than half way through them. Once spent, I’ll not get any of it  back, and this is what makes time so precious.

In life, I can always get more money or energy. But I cannot create more time. I have a certain number of days in my life, and that’s it. Once spent, they’re gone. So life management is really time management. If I learn to manage my time, then I learn to manage my life.

Today’s verse reminds me to, “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” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT).

The opposite of careful is careless. God’s Word tells me not to be careless with my life. This means I should be intentional and deliberate with my time. Be purpose driven!

Being careful with my time means being aware of how I spend it and of whether I’m spending it on things that really matter.

“Someone may say, ‘I’m allowed to do anything,’ but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth” (1 Corinthians 10:23 GW).

It’s not a sin for me to spend time on my phone, be on the Internet or watch TV. But it might not be the best use of time. Some things aren’t necessarily wrong. They’re just not necessary. It may not be wrong, but is it worth giving my life for?

I need to be careful with my days. I only have so many.

In summary, I need to be careful in how I live. Not being foolish with my time, but being wise and making the most of every opportunity. I need to keep my standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever I can. For time is a precious commodity and I only have a limited amount of it! Once spent, I’ll not get any of it back. In life I can do many things, but I cannot create more time. So life management is really time management. If I learn to manage my time, then I learn to manage my life. The opposite of careful is careless. God’s Word tells me not to be careless with my life. This means I should be intentional and deliberate with my time. Be purpose driven! It means being aware of how I spend it and of whether I’m spending it on things that really matter. It’s not a sin for me to spend time on my phone, be on the Internet or watch TV. But it might not be the best use of time. Some things aren’t necessarily wrong. They’re just not necessary. It may not be wrong, but is it worth giving my life for? So I need to be careful with my days. I only have so many.

Father, what a great reminder that my time is limited and it should be used wisely. I ask that you help me keep thin in mind as I make choices. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I put my trust in you for my future. I want to do those things that will serve you and others. These things I pray through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.