“Redeeming the time”, I’m sure you have heard the phrase. What does it mean to redeem? According to the dictionary, Google or whomever you use as a
reference it means to buy, pay off, clear by payment; to buy back, to exchange for money or goods (like the get coupon deals that brings me such pleasure). The theological definition is to deliver from sin and its consequences. Wow, that could be a lot to take in. For the purposes of this blog I will not be talking about redeeming coupons but redeeming time or people.
For so many years I only thought about redemption from the stand point of Christ redeeming sin so that anyone could have a new life in Him. In the Bible we read that our sins have been ransomed, purchased, redeemed, forgiven. Because of that redemption you and I can truly become a new and different person. Isa. 44:22 says the price was paid to set us free, not just free but that we could become an entirely a new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17.
Now when I think about redemption or redeeming the time my thoughts go so much deeper than simply getting a great deal or how I can turn the clock back to regain lost time or opportunities. I know that my life truly has been purchased, not by any good things that I have done but by Christ. New life isn’t just available for me but for anyone. Consider this, it’s as if I get a coupon which says this item is free for anyone who wants it. If I think it’s a scam or too good to be true I probably will not take the free gift. It’s as if I’d rather continue to struggle, doing it on my own instead of receiving the help that is available through this gift. That's what salvation is, a gift of help and a new life. A gift that many don’t want to accept because there is something about the gift they don’t believe in or deep down don’t think it comes without cost. Many don’t accept this free gift because of pride. For some when they finally decide to accept it life is too short to fully enjoy this gift that had been set aside for them a long time ago.
Can time be redeemed? I think so. For anyone who has waited so long to redeem the gift that’s been waiting for them you definitely consider time, time left and time lost. I must say that I am conscious of the time that is available to me for so many things. How much time is available to enjoy the good things that God has made available for my enjoyment. There are plenty of negative things you can choose to focus on if you want. Plenty of time to fill your mind with things that simply bring you down, vain regrets and the past good or bad. There’s plenty you or I can’t do over but we can alway enjoy the here and now. We can always keep looking forward and moving forward.
It’s truly not too late. Yes the clock of your life story may have a few more minutes and hours on it than you thought would be there right now. None of us truly knows the number of our days. The life you have available to you now may be one filled with so much wisdom, joy and peace because of the time you’ve spent living. My suggestion to you and anyone who is worried about redeeming the time is this. Christ has redeemed us. Take the free gift you have been given and run. Take the new life you have been given and live. It doesn’t matter if you are new in Christ or have known Him for decades. It doesn’t mater if you are 16 or 76 run for your life. You truly have a life worth living.
From my heart to yours,
This blog encourages me that it’s never too late for me to reach for anything from God and to try and do anything that I have in my heart to try and accomplish. I know that I am able to do it with God’s help and it’s not to late.