I’ve noticed a picture of a huge flight of doves sitting on the ground in the park of a city. They were apparently protesting against the lack of statues. I hope the city stood its ground.
A monument, on the other hand, is of much higher value.
God gave me Ephesians 5:15,16; walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (NKJV)
Then He said, “Take time and turn it into a living monument of righteousness.”
All of us have received talents that we should use in life. God will not compare us with one another because talents are not distributed evenly. One particular talent will determine how momentous and awesome we have lived or failed to do so and that talent is time.
For the first time I realised that time is a talent. We often see it as a burden to pass when we are bored. How we invest in our time is visible to God and He regards our lives as monuments.
Redeem means to purchase and set free, to recover time from waste and improve for a greater purpose.
I feel small when I notice how much time I’ve spent on trivial stuff compared to the time I’ve spent with Jesus and His calling.
I suddenly realised that time has a very influential character because it makes all the other talents come alive!
I have to make time to spend with other people. I need time to talk to God, praise and worship Him, experience joy with Him. I need time to sing, laugh and play, to thank Jesus for everything He has done. Time is of the essence.
Looking at my life since birth, I know the monument that I’ve built would be smallish. I haven’t mastered many new skills in life. I haven’t made many friends. I haven’t led many people to Jesus. I have spent too little time with Him and the Bible. I spent too much time complaining.
However, He loves me just the same.
Still, how much time do I have left to purchase and redeem for Him who gave Himself for me?
I would love to apply all my talents to love, praise and worship Jesus and all I need is time.
The talent is still available… for now.