Lupus?! A wha dat?!

I’ve been studying Ephesians 5 this month and have been stuck on the question, “What does it mean to redeem the time?” It’s inspired by the advice given in verses 15 and 16,

“ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV)

When I think about what it means to redeem the time I think about how love adds value. The days are evil, and indeed the world is a cold place if the dominant narrative is loveless. People doing them, showing no concern for one another and living like they are the center of the universe.

There’s a lot of temptation to live for self but we must resist the tragedy of selfishness. Living only for yourself is not truly living, it’s limited. It feels foolish sometimes and even lonely when you muster the courage to love. Truly loving one another and wanting the best for another person can even seem countercultural but it is who we ought to be.

I am convinced that love is transformative. Love changes circumstances, it creates room for joy and enlarges the possibilities of endurance. My prayer for you is not mere survival but I am believing God that you will thrive through any circumstance you are facing. I know we all have concrete difficulties in our lives but I am praying that the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) mature, develop and are made evident in the way we treat one another.

We are called to, “follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NKJV) We need to ask ourselves what would our lives look like if we took love seriously? How would my relationships improve if I followed God’s example and walked in the way of love?