The daylight is waning. Each day it takes a little longer for the sun to come up and it goes down just a little sooner. The temperatures are gradually trending lower and lower. The trees are quickly becoming bare. With the time change coming, most will hardly be home from work before the sun begins to set. When we see the days shortening like this, we all know what it means - time to prep for winter! Outside furniture needs placed into storage. The garage needs to get organized so there is room inside to park the car out of the coming snow. The gutters need to be cleaned from the leaves that have fallen. It’s time to check over your stash of firewood or fuel oil to be sure you are ready for the heating season. Because daylight has become a precious commodity, we must plan more carefully to get things done while it is still light outside.

The signs of the change of season compel us to get ready for what is surely about to come. With winter looming, we never know when will be the “last nice day” to get something done. In the same way, we are to notice and understand the signs of our times. We should be aware of the changing political landscape in our country, be observant of what is happening on the world scene, take note when violence erupts, be concerned when values are being eroded in our society around us, and see it as a problem when a lukewarm church just goes along for the ride. Prophetically, we are living in a day like no other. The stage is set and the Lord could return at any time. That’s the big picture, but let’s talk more practically. How are the signs of your own life compelling you to get something done for the Lord?

When you are young, you think you have your whole life ahead of you. Then, throughout life, you begin to see the walls come closing in on you. You see the days of your life getting shorter. Illness comes, financial hardships hamper, relationships do not pan out as you hoped, accidents occur, gray hairs eventually crowd out the natural color of your hair, and your once-abundant energy and enthusiasm slowly mellows out. When you see the signs in your own life that the days are getting short, are you compelled to get something done?

Ephesians 5:16 tells us to be “redeeming the time”. The context of the surrounding verses give us some wisdom about how to do just that.

1. Be CONSCIOUS of how you are spending your daylight – Ephesians 5:15 says, “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise”. We are only given so much time on earth and we never know when will be the “last nice day” before we are called home. Therefore, make every day count. Be purposeful in your decisions, your interactions, and how you are investing your energy and focus.


2. CONFIRM the will of God in your life – Ephesians 5:17 says, “understanding what the will of the Lord is”. When daylight is limited, you only have so much time to get things done. Therefore, you must prioritize God’s will over your own. In the words of C.T. Studd – “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”


3. Don’t let yourself be CONTROLLED – Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to be “drunk with wine”. Everyone knows that alcohol has a way of controlling you. Many other drugs and addictions do the same. In fact, Satan will use any means possible to gain control of your faculties. Instead, we are to be free from those things and be submitted to and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Only then will we be effective at using our daylight effectively.

Yes, the daylight is growing more scarce each day. The good news is that we all know it is just a season. If the Lord tarries, after the winter will come spring. But may our lack of daylight be a reminder to us. Our time on earth is short. Eternity is long. Let’s do as the writer of Hebrews warns and “exhort one another daily, while it is called Today” (Hebrews 3:13) and use the daylight we have to get something done for the Lord!