Verse: Ephesians 5:15-16

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Thoughts

This is a pretty simple thought for today, but maybe it will encourage you. I once heard a leader saying that every obstacle in leadership can be reframed as an opportunity for creative and innovative leadership. He said that often when faced with an obstacle, leaders will say, “we can’t do that.” Instead he challenged us to think “what could we do instead?” That lesson has stuck with me as a leader and as a person.

We are facing a LOT of obstacles right now, and most likely they will (as everyone keeps saying) get worse before they get better. So in those “can’t” moments, what “can” moments can we find?

I have always loved this verse that challenges us to “make the most” of our time. I memorized this as a young boy in the NKJV of the Bible as “redeem the time.” How can I redeem this time? How can I make the most of it?

A quick for instance: I am drawn to my phone more than normal right to read the news, and to see what other churches are doing so I can learn and respond well as a leader.  However, there’s got to be a limit. As I’m surfing and surfing….am I really making the most of this time? Maybe there is a relationship I should be investing in instead. Maybe there is someone I could facetime or call. Maybe even someone in my house!

That’s the thought for today. Maybe it can be a little bit of a compass for us as we traverse these next weeks and months. With all the changes, obstacles and demands that will come our way—let’s make sure we are intentional in how we use the time we are given each day. Time is a resource that we get to invest. Let’s spend it wisely and in accordance with what we truly value, and believe God has called us to.