It’s Time

With Daylight Savings Time on the horizon, my thoughts began to converge on the clocks awaiting their temporary adjustment. It’s a bit controversial, but springing forward gives us more light in our day. More time to get things done.

I’m a personal fan of it staying in the “spring forward” mode, but I doubt anyone cares. I love the thought of having more light in my day – more day in my week – more week in my month. By it’s very nature, light emits energy enabling us to accomplish more. When night begins to fall, it’s time to pack things up and go home. We’re done.

In John 9:4, Jesus said, While it is daytime, we must continue doing the work of the One who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. That verse tends to whisper nudges of motivation in my ear along with its companion verses, Ephesians 5:15-17, Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Time is just a ticking away while the world stands in need of the Savior. And I guess the haunting question is, “What are we doing about it?” We…collectively. We…individually.

You see, the clock isn’t the only thing in need of a little adjustment. We are too. The church. The called out ones. The body of Christ. The children of the Most High God. We have been given the awesome privilege to be called ambassadors for the Living God. Stewards of every tick of the clock He entrusts us with. Have we allowed our temporary circumstances to overshadow our eternal responsibility?

I realize this post isn’t that of the touchy feely kind, but as I look around and see what’s going on in this world, I’m moved with urgency to impact as many as we can while it is light, because before long, the night is coming when no one will be able to work. Before you know it, it will be time to pack it up and go home.

It’s time to redeem the time.It’s time to work while it is still day. So here’s a few observations about what we, the church, can do between now and the time we cross our heavenly finish line:

IT’S TIME…

1. We stop meeting about making a difference and just do it.

2. We stop arguing over the color of the carpet.

3. We stop shooting our wounded.

4. We stop wounding our warriors.

5. We stop creating runaways out of our children because they see our hypocrisy.

6. We stop gossiping about others and calling it a prayer request or concern.

7. We stop thinking so highly of overselves.

8. We stop being so inward focused.

9. We stop being someone else’s excuse for not following Christ.

10. We stop seeing mountains as obstacles instead of opportunities to see God move.

11. We stop walking in fear, failure and faithlessness.

12. We start loving the unlovely.

13. We start remembering where we came from.

14. We start being known for what we are for rather than what we are against.

15. We start living with an urgency to reach this world for Christ.

16. We start walking in the freedom Christ has given us.

17. We start including the outcasts.

18. We start walking in peace and with purpose with each other.

19. We start living strategically…intentionally to impact those around us.

20. We start being who we say we are and doing what we were saved to do.

It’s daytime my friend. Are we doing the work He sent us here to do? I don’t know about you, but somehow this whole Daylight Savings Time thing has really made me reflect on whether or not I’m making the most of the time He has given me. Am I really redeeming the time?

What do you think? What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear from you!

7 Comments

  1. You're stepping on every one of my toes!

  2. I've got a great one, Steph. We stop “going to church” and just “be the Church”. Start living intimately with the Father and living in His love so that we can give it back out. Hope that steps on a lot of toes. 😉

  3. Hi Sandra,
    My toes are so beat up, I've been walking on my heals. Ouch!
    Thanks for visiting my blog. Be seeing you on Twitter. 🙂

  4. Brenna,
    It's funny you say that. My husband and I are writing a book that deals much with the problem of “doing” church instead of “being” the church. I visited your site and liked it. Is it new?

  5. Hi Stephanie –

    When the unbeliever sees all the infighting, why would they want to join that mess? Jesus said they'd know we're His disciples by our love for one another.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

  6. JONI SCOTT said…
    “Stephanie, I was ready to go to bed..new time 11:15, but was tired! I saw this post and so I read it!! Thank you for writing about doing God's will with the “time” that we have! Yes, daytime hours I can accomplish a lot, but am I doing what God wants me to do? I'm going to look at the time change a lot differently now!!! Thanks again!! Oh, I tried to put this on your blog, but it wouldn't accept it…guess I have to register?”

  7. This is awesome, Stephanie! I have been feeling this urgency for months now. Many believers I know often speak with such yearning for the day of His coming, and not that I don't look for to that too, but I just have such a feeling that there is still so much His church must DO first before that day and you struck on many of those 'do's

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