While the Sun Shines

Bible Reading: John 9:4; Ephesians 5:15-17

“Mom, what is time, exactly?” asked Ellis, setting his Bible down on the table.

His sister, Macy, looked up. “Is this a joke? You know what time is. It’s…” She shrugged. “How can anybody define it? It’s a…a measurement, like from one o’clock to two o’clock. Or how long it takes you to eat breakfast.”

“Well, how can time be redeemed?” Ellis asked. “When we trust in Jesus, we say we are redeemed. This verse I just read says we should redeem the time because the days are evil. What does that mean?”

“Well, it ties in with being redeemed by Jesus,” said Mom. “What do we mean when we say He’s redeemed us?”

“Um…that He saved us from sin?” Ellis replied.

“Right,” said Mom. “We were once sinners who were unable to do anything good, but He redeemed us by paying the price of our sin and freeing us from it. Now we’re His children, able to help Him in building His kingdom. And that’s how we redeem the time—by using the time we have to do good and show His love to others.”

“So, redeeming the time means using it wisely?” asked Ellis.

Mom nodded. “It reminds me of something my grandma once told me. She grew up on a farm, and her family grew hay. They had to mow it, let it dry, and get it into the barn quickly before it rained.”

“I know why!” said Macy. “Damp hay rots and can even start a barn on fire.”

“That’s right,” Mom said. “When my grandma and her siblings got tired and wanted to stop and do something else for a while, their dad would say, ‘No quitting now! We have to make hay while the sun shines.’”

“Oh, I’ve heard people use that expression,” said Macy. “It means we need to get something done while we can.”

“Yes, and my grandma’s family had to make the best use of their time and get that hay in,” Mom explained. “That’s what we need to do too. The day will come when people who don’t know Jesus will no longer have the opportunity to be saved. We need to make good use of our time so our lives can point others to Him.”

-Dalan E. Decker

How About You?

Do you redeem your time—do you make good use of it? Today’s Bible reading talks about doing God’s work while it is day—meaning before the end of time on this earth. When Jesus returns, the opportunity people have now to be saved will be gone. They’ll be out of time. That’s why we need to use our time wisely. As we faithfully serve Jesus by doing the work He’s given us to do and showing others His love, we point people to Him.

Today’s Key Verse: Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Make good use of your time