Have you ever wished that there were 30 hours in a day? I often find myself wishing that there was more time in a day. I suppose that I have this idea that somehow having this extra time would relieve the pressure under which I often find myself. Most of us leave a trail of unfinished projects or tasks behind, unanswered e-mails or letters, unvisited friends and family, unread books, un-mowed lawns. We desperately need relief.

But would a thirty-hour day really solve the problem? Wouldn’t we be just as frustrated with a thirty-hour day, as we currently are with a 24-hour day? While the feeling of not having enough hours in the day is common, is the lack of time the real issue? I believe that our dilemma actually goes much deeper than a simple shortage of time. I think it is basically a problem of setting the proper priorities. In Ephesians 5:15-17, the Apostle Paul wrote:

"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. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

It is important to understand that what Paul is saying is based on a few basic premises. First, that as Christians we are learning by God’s grace, to be wise people. Paul is giving us the benefit of the doubt and assuming that we will exercise good judgment rather than being foolish in the use our of time. Second, Christian wisdom is from God. Therefore it is both useful and practical, because it teaches us how to live rightly in a fallen, broken world.  Read more...