Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

Life has a way of zooming right past you if you are not paying attention. Society today has so many distractions that take away your time. I know I am guilty of spending too much time watching television and playing games or watching videos on my phone. Yes, I said it. I dawdle many hours away doing nothing that brings me or anyone else closer to God.

This verse popped up in one of my online devotions and it spoke to me with such immediacy that I looked it up, highlighted it, and wrote it on an index card. Then I spent time in prayer asking God first to make me aware of things that I do that waste time and second to forgive me for doing so. Watching television and playing on your phone are not necessarily bad, but when they begin to control your time, they can easily become an idol or addiction and steal away precious moments from other things in your life.

Star Trek Next Generation (season 5, episode 6), “The Game”, brought a little fear into my eyes. This episode, a VR game that has hypnotic power and mind control, is introduced to the crew. You will have to watch the episode to see how it turns out, but it did make me pause and wonder how becoming obsessed with games or any number of other things can begin to change the way you think. I do not want anything or anyone controlling my thinking except God. I choose to spend time with people and things that draw me closer to God, not drive me away.

Thankfully, when I begin doing things to extreme, God nudges me. I will admit that I am human and do not always obey the nudge, but I am recognizing them more often. Things I can do when I feel these nudges:

1. Pray
2. Read the bible or another good book.
3. Go for a walk.
4. Call a friend or neighbor just to see how they are doing.
5. Write an encouraging note and drop it in the mail to someone.
6. Clean out a closet or some other neglected part of my house.
7. WRITE.

Take the time today to ask God where you waste time, then make a list of things you could do when you feel those nudges. Let us stop wasting time dawdling with trivial things and begin living lives for Christ. We want to be ready when we hear the knock on the door.

Kathryn