Look Carefully How You Walk

Before we dive into the five tips on time management, I would like to spend a couple days studying the verse out of Ephesians that tells us how to become wise shoppers of time….Once again I am pulling a lot of helpful incite out of the book, “Shopping for Time.” If you haven’t had a chance to read this book, I highly recommend it! It isn’t just for your mom or older sister to read. It applies to you as well and you’ll be glad you read it!

Ephesians 5:15-16- "Look carefully then how you walk, not at unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.”

First, let’s look at what this verse is commanding of us. “Look carefully” is a very clear and sobering command. This verse is telling us not to run through our days with no routines. We shouldn’t just let life happen and try to deal with the results, as they happen. We should not allow one day to simply flow into the next.

“We must develop keen eyes. We must evaluate our present manner of living and consider how to prepare for the future. We must walk circumspectly (to look around with caution) through each and every day.”

This verse is commanding us to look up and seek guidance from God’s Word. “This is how we are to be intentional, purposeful, and as this verse says, wise in the way we walk. Scripture makes it clear that there is no third option. We are either wise or unwise. Smart or foolish. And of course, none of us wants to be a fool!”

“Making the best use of the time”

The phrase “making the best,” means to “buy up, rescue from loss, or improve” the use of time. “This means choosing not to do a thousand other things. It means saying no to a lot of enticing options. Here’s where it gets tricky. Obviously we don’t want the ‘bad deals’ to keep us from what is truly valuable. We don’t want sinful pursuits to deter us from what is God glorifying. But, it’s often the good things such as a ministry opportunity, a relational pursuit, a money-making venture, a leisure activity, or a hobby that hinder us from making the best choices. It’s frequently these good things that distract us from the best things.”