How Do You Redeem the Time?

 

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success.

C. S. Lewis

How do you redeem time? Redeem literally means buying the opportunity. We need to be good stewards of our time, but in a world that is obsessed with productivity and perfectionism the result is a constant striving to achieve goals in the shortest amount of time. The problem is God isn’t concerned with speed. He’s concerned with our spiritual growth as we become more like Christ. It doesn’t happen in a day; it takes time.

How many licks does it take? The old commercial with the wise old owl has made a comeback. The reason nobody knows the answer to the question is because nobody ever takes the time to see; they crunch into the sucker without regard to potential damage to their teeth. They just want to get to the good stuff. In the process they miss the joy and delight of each individual taste.

Taking Time

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time to work fast and hard, but some things require time and patience. I took up drawing last year as an artistic outlet. I soon learned it takes time, patience and practice. The eraser became my greatest treasure in this new endeavor as I learned to layer my work.

You start with a sketch of an idea, but it usually requires some adjustments for spacing. When you get the layout the way you want it, you move on to either inking or painting the outlines. Once the ink dries you can erase the pencil lines. Next is coloring, but even that is made up of layers if you want shadowing and depth. Hand lettering can be added but also takes several steps. If you want it done well, you have to take the time necessary to do your best work at each level.

Making Mistakes

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

Speaking of your best work, when you are learning, your best may not be that great. In fact, you may do more erasing than drawing. Sometimes I wad up the paper and throw it away, starting over with a fresh page. Mistakes are a part of learning a new skill. They are a part of everyday life. It’s how we learn. God makes everything beautiful in HIS time not ours. In the meantime, we have to be willing to make mistakes so that we can continue to grow and accept the grace God gives.

Giving Grace

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Sometimes it is easier to give grace to others when they make a mistake than it is to give it to ourselves. We beat ourselves up and say we are stupid, but God says His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It is when we admit our need that God can truly work in our lives. So give grace to yourself and use mistakes to learn and grow in spirit and skill.

Drawing Depth

I think learning to draw is a means for God to teach me patience and grace. In learning to draw depth I am learning the depths of God’s grace are available to all at all times. In a world that is rushing everywhere, God wants us to take time to be still and sit with Him. It is in those moments that we find the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Redeem the time by:

1. Taking the Time
2. Making Mistakes
3. Giving Grace
4. Drawing Depth

Take your time, be willing to make mistakes, give yourself grace when you do, and grow close to God. It’s worth every moment.

What do you do that takes time to do right?

Related Posts:

Next Step: A Time and a Place

One Step at a Time

In the “Fullness of Time”