TOPIC:“Give Me More Time, Lord”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Ephesians 5:14-20
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (5:16)
One of the great writers of the 20th century was a man by the name of John Gunther. He was known for his “Inside” collection of books such as “Inside Africa,” "Inside Europe," "Inside Russia Today," and scores of other books with similar titles. Once when being interviewed about the possibility of writing another book, he made this statement: “What upsets me is that there is not time enough to do all the things I would like to do.”
Now in saying that Mr. Gunther came very close to the feelings of most of us. As I think of how much more I would like to accomplish for Christ, I find myself having similar feelings like that of John Gunther. It seems we just don't have time enough to do all those things we would like to accomplish. That is why one can often hear words such as these coming from the lips of people: “Oh, if I only had more time.” Years ago I came across this little saying:
“I have just a little minute,
Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can't refuse it;
Didn't seek it, didn't choose it,
But it's up to me to use it.
I must suffer if I abuse it,
Just a tiny little minute,
But eternity is in it.”
Oh the tremendous amount of activity that can be crowded into the little fragments of time no bigger than minutes.
Now there are some people who really don't like to keep track of time. As a matter of fact, they make a deliberate effort to lose count of their birthdays. They would never tell you how old they are if you asked them. Time is an enemy to these people. I know a lady like that. She always tries to hide her exact age. She would rather lie than tell you her how old she really is. What a tragedy to live that way.
At the beginning of this New Year it is important for us to consider the words of Paul in our text and what he has to say about time and how . . .