Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-7, Colossians 3:1-25, 4:1-18.

“…make the most of every opportunity.”

Colossians 4:5b

The song “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin is about the use of time and it is narrated by a man who becomes a father. Soon after his son was born, the father is repeatedly unable to spend time with him because of his job. His son admired him and wanted to grow up to be just like his father.

After the son graduates from college, he declines his father’s offer to spend some time with him and instead asks for the car keys! In the last verse, the father is retired and he calls his adult son and asks if they can spend some time together. But the son’s own job and family prevents him from being able to spend time with him, and the father realizes that his son has absolutely grown up to be just like him.

It is a song that is scary and sad. But it is often true. So how do we spend our time? What are our priorities? Do we spend our free time based on what is really important in our lives? How we spend our time will show how we love Jesus, the church and our own family.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 shows that we are affected by time and change. If we look back 10 or 20 years, we realize we were in a different season. Verse 2 says that there is a time to be born and a time to die.

So, there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). In John 2:4b, Jesus said “my time has not yet come” in referring to His crucifixion and resurrection. In John 12:23, His time had definitely come, “Jesus replied, the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

Colossians 3 and 4 offer ideas on how to make the most of every opportunity in our lives with time.

“So, if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it.”

Love others. Be patient. Control yourself.

“Pursue the things over which Christ presides.”

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Let’s fill our time and thoughts with the things that Christ cares about – where our great interests are – rather than things of this world such as pleasure and wealth.

“Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.”

What is important in my life? Does the way I spend my time prove it?

Honor God with your time by being a blessing to someone today!

How are you using the precious time you have been given to glorify God and love others? 

Tom Weckesser