Redeem the Time

Wow… it’s been a while since I’ve posted…

The last month or so (wow… it really has been that long since I posted anything…) have been crazy. I started work at HP full-time, began teaching an apologetics course to my family, and preached a sermon… the summary of which is the principle purpose of this post, actually.

“We preach best what we need to learn most” says one of Martin Luther’s mentors in the movie “Luther”. What resulted in the longest sermon I’ve preached to date came from an issue I’ve been having in my own life: use of time.

I’ve been challenged lately to consider how I spend my time, both with myself and with fellow believers. Left to my own devices, I’m likely to be found watching America’s Funniest Home Videos on YouTube, playing some computer game, or reading Tintin (again). I figure that since I just finished 5 years of school and am currently working a full-time job, I’m due a break in the evenings. But why? The Bible never says anything about giving ourselves breaks for entertainment. We are urged (a lot) to watch our time and be aware that it’s limited.

What about with friends? Is Frisbee, Dominion, a strategy card game, and movies really all that we have to do together? What about encouraging one another? (Heb. 3:13) Am I the type of friend that somebody would feel safe in sharing a burden with? (Gal. 6:2) Am I talking with my friends to determine how I can be a better member of the body?

No – I seldom do these things. Does that mean we only get together and have serious discussions around a table wearing starched shirts and speaking King James English?

Fortunately, I can’t find that in the Bible either.

Getting together for fun is fine – laughter is good for us, and it’s best if we’re laughing at wholesome things (more likely found amongst believers). However, car-rides don’t need to be full of jokes and voice-impersonations. It’s ok if the Dominion game doesn’t even finish because a conversation takes over.

Am I being the type of friend to encourage people to Godliness, or simply to have more fun? I’m afraid that I’ve been too much of the latter. I need to remember that I’ve been left here for a purpose - am I spending my time accomplishing eternal goals, or amusing my finite mind? 

Here's the full-length sermon if you'd like to hear it... sorry for the freaky picture