Making the most of the time

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing and making music to the Lord in your heart,
giving thanks always for everything
to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-21, CSB

FellowElder today reminded me of a passage from Don Whitney’s advice, which he wrote in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, based on Paul’s words in Ephesians. So, if you followed that, I am blogging about what FellowElder blogged about, what Whitney wrote about, what Paul wrote about using our time wisely.

Anyway, I started a new summer job recently and I have moved to a new community recently. So, how I use my time, professionally and socially, has been on my mind. Of course, to use time wisely, I need to use every moment of every day to bring glory to God. And, as John Piper would put it, I can accomplish that goal of bringing glory to God by being “most satisfied in him.” In addition, my satisfaction in God should overflow in such a way that others see my joy is from him, not from earthly possessions or even happy relationships with other people—although God made us to be relational. If such joy overflows for others to see, that can accomplish the goal of being a witness—a lamp placed on a stand, or a city on a hill. Further, bringing God glory means doing the things with my time that God would have me do; that means, building relationships, studying his word, etc. “Do everything for God's glory (1 Cor 10:31).

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Father, I praise your wonderful and glorious name.
God, you are my God and I eagerly seek you.
I look to you for your strength and glory.
May my words and actions glorify you,
for your faithful love is greater than life.
May I always praise you as you satisfy me.
When I lie in bed at night, let me think of you,
because you are my strength.
Let me live each moment you give me to your glory.
I am not guaranteed another moment on this earth,
but I am promised that you will always be there,
and that you make all things work for the good of those you’ve called.
You are in control;
you set the world in place and sustain everything that exists.
Through Jesus, your Word, you created the universe;
let everything that has breath praise your glorious name.
In my work, let me bring your praise.
In my relationships, let me show your glory.
As a father and husband, let me show your love, faithfulness and protection.
As a friend, let me show your compassion and care.
As a teacher, let me show your wisdom and truth.
As a neighbor, let me show your hospitality and generosity.
As your child, adopted through your love shown in Jesus’ death and resurrection, let me live every moment with my eyes focused on you.
Let me love you with all my heart, all my strength, all my soul and all my mind,
and it will follow, as the night follows the day, that I will then love my neighbor as myself.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.