I recently had a friend share that she has been reflecting on what it means to “redeem the time” as is described in Ephesians 5:16. Time is precious, especially in a world consumed by busyness. As believers, we are called to live differently. Our lives are to look differently. So what does it mean to make best use of the time? 

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15-16; ESV.

This book of Ephesians provides an overarching view of how Christians are to act. It very explicitly states not to engage in drunkenness, sexual immorality, covetousness, and crude joking.

Those are the more overt sins that are usually easier to identify. But the call in Ephesians goes bigger.

• Walk in love

• Walk in wisdom

• Redeem the time

• Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord

• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

• Submit to your husbands

Wow, that is a high calling. And this calling to walk in the light is one that requires us to lean on the strength and sufficiency of Christ. For now, let’s just reflect on what it means to redeem the time. 

Engaging with Scripture

There’s more than one way to sit in the Word each day. We tend to think of this time as a structured time block reading one passage of Scripture for the day. 

This is a beautiful and fruitful way to sit in the truth of the Bible. But there are other ways to do this, too. Memorizing Scripture can allow us the opportunity to reflect deeply on a specific attribute of who God is. It can also be recited in the little moments of driving, a moment of downtime at work, washing dishes, etc. 

Listen to music that reminds you of God’s character.

Sit down and write about what you saw from your Bible reading. Then reflect on it throughout the day. 

The Dwell app is also a wonderful way to do this. Turn on a passage of Scripture to listen to while you go about your daily tasks.

Limiting Distractions with Little Value

There’s a cost and benefit to everything we do. There may be some benefit to our most common distractions (I’m looking at you, social media), but what do we lose? If we are out 2, 3, or 5 hours per day because of time spent scrolling on social media or television, we may feel more connected with others. We may have gotten the little break from our day that we were hoping for. But what did we lose? 

A quick side note about me: my job is largely involved in helping people with behavior change. You know why many of our habits slip back after an earnest effort to stop? It’s often because we don’t fully think through what we want or how we will replace a habit.

So if you say, “I want to stop scrolling on social media when I’m home with my family.” My immediate next question will be, “Okay, so what will you replace with social media?” 

Friends, that question is key. 

Are you stopping social media so that you can spend more time in community? Then invite friends over. Go out to dinner with someone in your small group. Call distant family or friends to catch up. Do something to redeem the time that you normally spend on social media. 

Are you stopping social media so that you can be more engaged with your kids? Then get on the floor and play with them. Take them to the pool. Sing and dance and be silly together. 

That question would be followed by, “How are you going to stop yourself from getting on social media?”

Plug the phone in a different room. Invite your spouse or friend to lovingly hold you accountable to your goal. Savor what you gain from your initial labor toward your goal, however small it may seem. 

Build Routines, But Stay Flexible

Routines keep us consistent with the parts of life that are mundane and unexciting, but essential. Building rhythms into our days helps us stay consistent in the Word, stay up on housework, keeps food in the house (and on the table), etc. 

We can glorify God in the way that we faithfully read His Word. 

We can glorify God in the way that we faithfully care for our homes.

We can glorify God in the way that we faithfully cook meals for our family. 

By staying up on all of the little things, we can turn our attention to the bigger things.

That’s the routine piece. The flexibility piece allows us the freedom to be present. 

For example, you may serve your family, roommates, etc. by cooking a hot meal for your family most nights of the week. And this is good. 

But it is also good to run through a drive thru on the way to Wednesday night service because you need to fuel your body quickly in order to be fully present and engaged with the body of Christ. 

Think of the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was busy doing good things, but Mary spent the time sitting with Jesus. 

Excellence in daily work is good, but letting go of perfectionism to do things “right” also helps us make the best use of the time. 

Remember that His grace is sufficient for our weaknesses. We won’t always get this right, but we can persevere in what is good by doing all that we can to make the most of the time.

I’d love to hear from others! Please comment below with how you think we can “redeem the time” as believers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kayley is a daughter of Jesus Christ who deeply desires for women seek the Lord in every aspect of their lives. Her plans after college have become wildly different than she had anticipated and has been experiencing the joys and challenges of surrendering her perfectionism to the One who holds all things. She is a lover of fresh flowers, sunrises, fancy coffees, and game nights. She works as an eating disorder dietitian and enjoys blogging about all things food and women’s health at freedomandglorynutrition.com.