Have you felt troubled over the times we live in? Election years can stir our emotions. I’m delighted to have speaker and author Dawn Wilson tell us how to keep our heads. Now here is Dawn…
The darker our surroundings become, the more we will value light.
Lately, I feel like the darkness in America increases every day. As citizens redefine age-old truths and throw off all restraint, I see moral decay and lawlessness exploding in our culture. My conversations with friends often center on how we can protect our innocent children and grandchildren.
It’s scary, and I find myself returning to two simple verses of scripture. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (NKJV).
The Message says it this way:
“So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”
Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Eph. 5:15-16 Click To TweetI think this scripture offers four ways to value our time when life seems to fall apart around us.
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Watch Your Step.
To walk “circumspectly” is to walk properly or accurately. It means looking around to be sure you are on the right path and haven’t gone astray.
Paul was saying, be mindful of your steps (how you behave or act). Don’t be vague; be careful to live with a sense of responsibility, honor, purpose and courage. Illustrate through your choices that you are looking at life from God’s perspective—His will (v. 17).
Be careful around those who tolerate and enable wickedness, people who may pull you away from loving and obeying the Lord and His Word with all your heart.
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Use Your Head.
Be wise, not foolish, Paul says. This is the wisdom that understands the true end and purposes of life. True wisdom, biblical wisdom, comes from a healthy fear of God (Proverbs 9:10).
Paul urges us to be sensible and intelligent, to use discernment. The principles of truth to make wise choices regarding family, finances, friends and so much more are found in the Bible—but we need to take time to dig them out.
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Make the Most of Every Opportunity.
The King James Version of this passage uses the word “redeeming” in reference to our use of time. To redeem is to buy something up, as if it were a precious commodity. The word “time” in this passage refers to a definite portion of time—a season or opportunity—that we don’t want to miss.
In other words, don’t waste your time on useless things or mere busywork. Be diligent! Make the most of the time you have left on earth. Like Jesus, do all that the Father is calling you to do (John 8:28; 14:31a). Make each day count. Value each minute. Wasting time is wasting life!
When you work, strive for excellence, and then balance your work with healthy relaxation. Do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Take advantage of every opportunity the Lord brings your way to do good. Approach your daily schedule with wisdom and diligence, but always leave room for God to interrupt your plans. Find out what He is doing and hop on board!
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Understand the Times.
Again, we live in a profane culture and we are in danger of being corrupted.
Don’t take that lightly. When you see life crumbling around you, intentionally prepare—guard your mind and heart! (1 Peter 1:13; Proverbs 4:23)
Be alert to what is happening around you. When you watch the news, go to prayer (Matthew 26:41). Dig into the Word to discover solid, unchangeable truth. Trust the Holy Spirit to teach you how to answer if you are persecuted as a Christ-follower (Luke 12:12).
In summary, in these dark days, practice mindfulness, God-honoring wisdom, diligence and purposeful preparation so you will be “blameless and pure,” shining as a light in the midst of this dark, crooked and twisted generation (Philippians 2:15).
Dawn Wilson and her husband Bob live in Southern California. They have two married sons and three granddaughters. Dawn assists Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth with research and works with various departments at Revive Our Hearts. She is the founder and director of Heart Choices Today, and also publishes LOL with God and Upgrade with Dawn. Dawn also travels with her husband in ministry with the International School Project.
Sometimes I link up with these great sites:
#IntentialTuesday, #w2wwordfilledwednesday, #Wedded Wednesday, #Women with Intention, #LivefreeThursday, #Thankful Thursdays, #Grace and Truth, #Dance with Jesus,
I love the steps you extracted from that wonderful scripture – it’s long been one of my favorites and I love the Message translation. These certainly are dark times but we are called to be light and salt – thank you for those practical steps.
Thanks, Ann. I’m trying to put my own advice into practice. It’s hard sometimes; especially when we take our eyes off the Lord.
Well said! As I read this, I was reminded of a pastor from Mexico who spoke at our church on Sunday. Two sentences echoed in my heart: 1) Jesus is coming soon; and 2) We’re in the last three minutes of the game. It can be so easy to walk through life without making sure we attend to the time we are living in and our responsibility to be”tuned in” to the Lord and His direction for us. He didn’t promise life would be easy, but He DID promise He would be with us.
Absolutely, Pam. I love that “last three minutes of the game” statement. A lot can change in those three minutes; we need to be sure we’re looking for what God is doing, and hopping on board with His plans.
We do live in sobering times. I’m so glad that Debbie shared your thoughts with us today, Dawn. There’s a lot to chew on here and then to take and live out!
I agree, Beth. Thanks so much.
Debbie and Dawn, I love this. We are living in some dark days and we need to keep our wits about us. We need to make the most of every opportunity we get because the Lord’s return is at hand. Thank you for sharing this encouragement with Thankful Thursdays.
Thank you, Lori!