There have been days when I wasted hours of my life and didn’t think very much about it – time I could have learned important things as I served my Savior.  Our human flesh is strongly and powerfully tempted to waste not only hours but an entire lifetime.  How often we hear someone say, “It’s something to do to pass the time.”  Time is wasted by the minute.  Once we are comfortable in wasting minutes, we go on to wasting hours.  Eventually we may look back over a wasted life and wonder where all the time has gone.

As I look back over my life there has been time well spent.  In those times God used my obedience and brought souls into His Kingdom.  But the time I wasted is lost.  I can’t regain it.  My heart would burst with sorrow over the souls that were lost, if it were not for my understanding of the power of praise.  If I believe God, He will take my wasted hours and use them for some good.  A miracle that only He can do!  He will work this miracle if I now serve Him with all of my heart.

Every hour of our time is highly valuable to God.  Jesus died to give us eternal life, and also to redeem our time here on earth.  Paul taught us to spend our days as though we are in a race and want to win; not time in a race to waste precious minutes.  That’s how serious God is about His business.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).

Jesus said, I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35). As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work (John 9:4).  My Father will honor the one who serves me (John 12:26).  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)  Christians often emphasize verse 7: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatsoever you wish, and it will be given you.

Now, I strive to use each moment of each day to accomplish something worthwhile.  When Mary and I go for a relaxing walk, we use that time to refresh our spirits.  While we walk, I sing praises to God, and pray for our ministry, or for people in the homes we pass, or I rejoice that I am able to walk.  When traveling by car, I used to spend my time listening to the news.  Now I sing, rejoice, and pray.  If we are striving to use each hour of each day for God’s glory, there are things we should not do with our time.  I urge you to consider your own life.  Don’t waste time!  If you have “spare time,” find ways to grow in spiritual wisdom.  Then share what you learn with your family, neighbors, friends, and with anyone your words or deeds may influence.

We are engaged in a spiritual battle!  God needs us – young and old!  Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37).  Many people came to hear Jesus speak, but few were willing to work.  (This is still true today!)  The harvest He wants is people snatched out of Satan’s grasp.  To do this work for God we must plan, prepare and be ready for the slightest opportunity that He gives us.  He says in Colossians 4:5, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”  He promises us great rewards both in this world and throughout eternity if we do something to bring that “outsider” to accept His Son.

Wasted time will not bring one soul to Christ, but a minute well spent will give us eternal rewards! (Reprint from February 1991)