I want to suggest to you that if we are going to have a productive new year, if we are going to be successful at the things that matter—namely, accomplishing God’s will and fulfilling His plans—we must see the new year as a gift from God. God is the source and sustainer of life. And life consists of time. So to make the best of 2024 we must make the best use of the time/life that God gives us.

When exhorting the church of Ephesus to live a spiritually productive life in the light of Jesus, Paul writes, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Again, to make the best of 2024, we must make the best use of the time that God gives us. I want to suggest three perspectives/views that we must recognize about time and the days we have left on earth in order to make the best use of our time.

First, we must recognize that the days are perverse. When exhorting the church to make the best use of time, Paul gives this motivation: “Because the days are evil” (v.16b). If you don’t make the best use of time, evil will get the best of you. For this reason, the Apostle Paul also wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

If you don’t make time, schedule time, and prioritize time to renew your mind in prayer and the word, your mind will be shaped by this evil and perverse world. Your mind is either being shaped by the word or it’s being shaped by the world. Worldliness (sin) is either keeping you from the word or the word is keeping you from worldliness (sin). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psalm 119:9).

If you don’t make time, schedule time, and prioritize time to renew your mind in prayer and the word, your mind will be shaped by this evil and perverse world. Your mind is either being shaped by the word or it’s being shaped by the world.

Secondly, recognize that today is a provided day. Paul exhorts us to make the best use of time. Time is life, and life is a gift from God. Regarding the gift of life and time, the Psalmist also wrote, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Time is life, and life is a gift from God.

When we recognize the time and days that we have been given by the grace of God, our response ought to be to seek the wisdom of God every day for how we live our lives. After exhorting the church to make the best use of the time, Paul continues, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Foolishness is waking up in the morning and thinking you got it all figured out. Foolishness is leaning on your own understanding in planning how you will use the time and life that God is allowing you to have. To be wise, on the other hand, is waking up in the morning declaring, “This is the day the Lord has made and I’m going to rejoice in it knowing that God has a plan and I’m going to trust Him to lead me and guide me” (Proverbs 3:5-6). As Adrian Rogers said, “A wise person plans his/her day thinking, ‘If I please Jesus, it doesn’t matter whom I displease. If I displease Jesus, it really doesn’t matter whom I please.’” A wise person knows that each day is a provided day and they’re going to live it with joy for the pleasure, honor, and glory of their creator and Lord.

A wise person knows that each day is a provided day and they’re going to live it with joy for the pleasure, honor, and glory of their creator and Lord.

Lastly, we can make the best of 2024 by making the best use of the time, and we do that by recognizing that today is a precious day. In response to the question, “What are you up to?” or “What are you doing?” we’ve all likely heard the response, “Oh, I’m just killing time.” Again, time is life. When you’re killing time, you’re killing life. Time is precious. Life is short. Eternity is long. Pursue with your earthly life the things that are going to matter for all eternity. Because God is sovereign over all of life’s moments, look for opportunities to make the best use of them. When you’re standing in a long line, take the time to pray for the people around you who will spend an eternity in hell without Christ. Be kind and pray for opportunities to be a light for Jesus.

Time is precious. Life is short. Eternity is long. Pursue with your earthly life the things that are going to matter for all eternity.

Make the best use of time by recognizing, with a heart of worship, that the most precious life of all—Jesus, the creator and sustainer of all life—was sacrificed on a cross so that you can receive the gift of eternal life by faith, which is the gift of knowing Him as your redeemer and Lord in this life and forevermore. Make time for Him (John 14:6, 17:3).

Don’t put off until tomorrow what God is calling you to do today. “You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:14-15).

Make the best of each day by getting wisdom from above; by understanding and applying God’s will for your life. While you have breath, live to know Christ and to make Him known.

Copyright © 2024 Marco David. All rights reserved.

_____________________________________________________

Pastor Marco David came to know Jesus as his Redeemer and Lord at the age of 17 after a zealous evangelist knocked on his brother’s apartment door and came in for a visit. For 20 years he served the city of Chicago in various roles in the correctional system and the police force. Ordained in 2000, he began to serve the Church in a part-time capacity until he retired from the police force in 2015 to become the lead Pastor of Midwest Bible Church. He also serves as a Regional Leader for the 6:4 Fellowship and as a Renewal Coach with the 6:3 Discipleship. His passion is to make disciples who spread the fame of Jesus as he prayerfully relies on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Marco married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth and they have four sons, who are all in law enforcement.