“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15–16 

As I covered in the previous post, perhaps the biggest challenge for Sabbath Living is TIME.

When I decided to commit more time to deliberately engage God as described in my previous post (because there is no substitute for time in building a relationship) I wondered where I would find the time? My schedule was jam-packed. Yes, I would rearrange my schedule, try to reduce useless activities (mostly of the couch-potato variety). But, could I go in later to work, or substitute work during lunch for prayer time or take occasional breaks to be ‘Jesus’ to my co-workers? The thought of it left me with dread for the work I might miss, leading to poorer work performance and risking potential career advancement – the dreaded ‘Fear of Failure.’

God led me to Ephesians 5:15–16 in the King James Version says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Interesting notion – redeeming the time. It’s not God redeeming the time but my actions “redeeming the time”. How is that done? What I decided was that God would honor a greater dedication to time spent with Him. Was my God big enough and real enough to do what I couldn’t do? Could I TRUST that He would fill in the Gaps for time I would take away from elsewhere to spend with Him? Well, I trusted and He did.

“Redeeming the time” means letting God fill in and take over when we don’t know how something will get done if we don’t do it. The phrase redeeming the time is also found in Colossians 4:5: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (KJV). In both passages, redeeming the time is related to wisdom in how we “walk” – that is, in how we live.

To redeem something means to buy it back, to regain possession of it. In fact, the NIV’s translation of Ephesians 5:16 uses the phrase ‘making the most of every opportunity’. Rather than waste our days on frivolous pursuits that leave no lasting imprint, Scripture instructs us to be diligent about doing good (Titus 3:8).

I would add Paul’s charge to the Galatians – To walk and Keep in step with the Spirit – Slowing down and removing barriers to hear His voice. Making connecting in relationship with the living God a priority in my life. That is what Jesus did. In, fact He only moved as the Spirit led him – only doing and saying what he saw and heard from God the Father. For us, that means to live deliberately and engage God through Spiritual Disciplines.

If the thought of practicing all the 15 Spiritual Disciplines is too overwhelming Pastor John Mark Comer recommends this short list to practice:

1. Keep a Sabbath – People who keep a Sabbath life live all 7 days differently
2. Solitude – enjoying time alone with an interactive God
3. Simple living – strip down that which needlessly fills up our lives
4. Slowing down – Moving more at the pace Jesus did – directed by the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Really? How can we possibly operate effectively always on “Slow”?

Does living a Sabbath Lifestyle meaning always moving at a snail’s pace? We never move fast? Even as I was away writing about slowing down, I got a call from my wife, Eleni. She was leaving late for work and a wind storm kicked up, knocking over our full garbage cans and scattering trash all over our and our neighbor’s yards. There she was scurrying all over the neighborhood chasing down wind-blown garbage while desperately trying to get to work. (I smartly resisted giving her this pious advice over the phone, “Hey, honey, just slow down.”

Circumstances will dictate we move fast at times but should it be the rhythm of our lives? We slow down to hear God’s voice and gather His wisdom and guidance. God’s voice then may dictate to wait, move ahead, slow down, or speed up.

1. When Jesus was called to come heal Lazarus, the Father said “wait”. While those he loved were incredulous that Jesus would delay, we know now the purpose of His waiting.
2. Conversely, when Mary asked Jesus to turn water into wine, He pushed back saying it was not His hour. But then He went ahead and performed His first public miracle. Did He just cow tow to his mother? No, I speculate that while He initially said it was not His time the Father whispered, “Actually, it is time.” and Jesus began his ministry in earnest.
3. Occasionally, the Gospel’s indicates that Jesus moved with a sense of urgency. Yet, the thing he did regularly with immediacy was healing as in Matthew 20:34, “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately (Eutheos) they received their sight and followed him.”

A test Christ-follower’s use to gauge our trust in God is to consider how much we trust God with our Time, Talent and Treasure? Each of the 3 present major challenges. All three are impacted by Sabbath Living. But, of the 3, Time may be the most easily dismissed yet the hardest to comply with. While I covet the other 2, I am sooo jealous of my time.

Developing any relationship requires committing time. If we seek God it requires a time committment. Do we believe Hebrews 11:6 that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him? So, if we make that dedication of time with Him, it not only means that He will honor our commitment by covering our back, but even more so will reward us.

Be rewarded – Put yourself on Sabbath time. Commit more time to seeking after God.