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

(Ephesians 5:15–16, NIV)

A man was heading to bed when his wife mentioned the garden shed light was still on — she could see it from the bedroom. He said he hadn’t been in the shed, but when he looked, he saw strangers inside, stealing tools. He called the police, but they said no officers were available in his area.

The man waited 30 seconds and called again: “No need to hurry — I just shot them all.”  Within minutes, sirens blared. Police cars, a helicopter, and an armed unit surrounded the shed. The thieves were caught red-handed. An officer said, “I thought you said you shot them.”

The man replied, “And I thought you said no one was available.”

It’s funny how quickly we respond when we think something really matters. That story may be a bit exaggerated, but the lesson isn’t: we always seem to find the time and the energy for what we consider to be important.

I often catch myself saying, “I don’t have time.”  What I usually mean by that is, “That’s not a priority right now.”  Whether it’s helping someone, praying more, serving at church, or simply being present for my family, I can usually find the time when I decide that it matters.

It’s been said that if you want to know someone’s priorities, look at their checkbook. But maybe a better measure is your calendar. Where does your time go?  What does your daily schedule say about what matters most?

The apostle Paul reminds us to “make the most of every opportunity.” That doesn’t mean filling our schedules with more stuff — it means learning to say “yes” to those things that matter most to God.  The heroes in the Bible weren’t always the smartest, strongest, or most talented.  But they were always available.  They made time for God.  They answered when he called.

What about you?  Has your schedule become so packed that there’s no room left for what truly matters?  May God never hear us say, “Sorry, I’m not available.”

Prayer: Father, help me to use my time wisely and to say “yes” to those things that matter most to you. Teach me to be available whenever you call.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day