(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Wind the Clock – LISTEN HERE)
I’m growing to appreciate the phrase used in this series:
“Yesterday is history…tomorrow is a mystery…so win the day!”
If you are like I am, I can spend a lot of time looking in the rear view mirror not always appreciating the past, but looking at decisions, activities, or tasks that I wish I could change, do differently or just have a mulligan for that day or season. I can spend time thinking about the future and desiring a certain outcome for myself, my family, our church, and many other things.
With all the focus on the past and future, I forget about living today.
Really living. Like engaging in the events, the relationships, and tasks to enjoy them, take them in, and see the importance of the moment of the day rather than being frustrated at what I’m not getting done or the time I need to spend on something that interrupts what I think I want to do.
The Apostle Paul wrote this:Ephesians 5:15 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.
Make the most of every opportunity. He’s not saying you have to DO every opportunity, but whatever opportunity is in front of you, make the most of it.
What does that mean? And how does it affect my day?
First it’s living as a wise person. King Solomon defined wisdom as the “fear of the Lord.” Each day I’m living with “fear, love and trust in God above all things.” I am seeking to leverage every opportunity to glorify God, connect someone to God, or be strengthened by the Lord. The Apostle Paul spoke of God’s wisdom in contrast to human wisdom. For me this means seeing the day through the lens of God’s ways, his word, his worldview. My day is not going to be defined by the secular news, the career politician or the doomsday narrative. My day is going to be defined by the Lord.
Second, make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Scroll your favorite news feed. How many of the headlines speak of good vs. how many reflect on evil that has occurred. I would venture about a 9-1 ratio of good news to reporting on evil. So of course the world needs a beacon for love, joy, peace, kindness, etc. Every opportunity we have in a day is there, set up by God, to show the love of God in what we do, in what we say, and with whom we interact.
We don’t have time to waste on foolish things or on evil things.
But we do.
And those are the regrets of the day and the regrets of the past. Guilt can prevail when we realize we didn’t make the most of every opportunity, but rather have missed a lot of opportunities.
Which is why I am glad Jesus redeemed the day. Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Jesus stepped into time to make the most of every day he lived to ensure the mission to pay for sin and assure me of forgiveness was accomplished. Certainly we have to repent of missed opportunities and wasted days, but we have one who redeemed the day and made it perfect before our heavenly Father and gives us a reason to fall asleep in forgiveness and wake up motivated by grace to make the most of the opportunities God gives today!
So look forward to the opportunities God sends your way today and with his wisdom and grace in mind, win the day for the glory of God!
Apply: What opportunity have you missed that you regret? Share it with the Lord and hear him speak forgiveness over you and the missed opportunity.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for redeeming each day by the life and death of Jesus. Empower me by your Spirit to leverage every opportunity you present with wisdom grounded in you and goodness driven by your grace. AMEN.