After giving the diagnosis, my cardiologist tried to reassure me, saying something like, “It’s fairly common in people your age, and combined with your genetics…”
Thanks a lot! The good news is, I’m doing well, and knowing why I tire quickly helps me feel less guilty about accomplishing less.
But a few nights ago, I awoke from a dream with the words, “Redeem the time” echoing in my mind. I knew the phrase came from one of Paul’s letters to the church but wasn’t sure which one. Ah, there it was, in Ephesians 5. I’ll skip some verses for brevity’s sake, not to change Paul’s meaning.
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
That begs the question, what does it mean to redeem the time? As I re-read the verses, the first thing I realized is that redemption costs. And it’s not cheap. Jesus Christ gave His life to redeem us from sin and eternal death, “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
For me, redeeming the time means giving up my desire to hide away, comfortable in my introvertedness. (Spell check doesn’t approve of that word, but you know what I mean!) I have to push past those comfort zones and reach out more. It’s hard; I’m risking rejection every time, but it’s worth the effort from an eternal perspective.
In the end, that’s what it’s about: living from an eternal perspective. And so I will keep trying, often failing and needing the forgiveness bought by Jesus Christ’s redemption. The redemptive circle moves me closer and closer to heaven, my ultimate destination.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)