Jim Croce did get one thing right:

There never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do, once you find them.*

Here we are, having just completed another year, and it’s already the middle of January. In a few weeks, we’ll have an “extra” day, since this is Leap Year. Before we know it, winter will be over and we’ll return to Daylight Saving Time. The days will be longer, but we still won’t have enough time to do everything we want to do.

Each day, we are given 86,400 seconds. At the end of the day, they disappear forever, never to be reclaimed. I suppose that’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, while he was in prison:

 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17, NKJV)

Another Bible translation puts it this way:

So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. (GW)

It’s clear from these verses that we are to use our 86,400 seconds wisely. It’s easy to waste time on unimportant things instead of choosing to spend our time on things of eternal significance.

I heard on the radio that Mary Kay Ash (of Mary Kay Cosmetics) recommended making a list every day of six things you want to accomplish. Focus on those things, instead of worrying about all the things you won’t get done. That seemed like good advice.

But the most important thing, I think, is to always try to redeem the time–because you can’t put time in a bottle to save it.

*(Time In A Bottle lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC)