8月26日

標　　題：愛惜光陰

經　　節：你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。（以弗所書五章15∼16節）

我們在當今的時代裡，往往被一堆引誘我們投資心力、時間的機會所包圍。緊急事件的呼聲終日追逐著我們。許多理想及事業保證只要花時間就可收成。在這嘈雜的聲音中，如何辨認出神的聲音呢？

愚昧人沒有智慧地安排自己的時間。每回有新的機會到來，愚昧人不先弄清楚是否為最佳抉擇，就見風轉舵去追逐。誰的聲音大，誰就獲得他的注意。那愚昧人終究會在某個片刻中，沮喪氣餒地發現自己任意浪費、揮霍時間。

現今你正活在一個邪惡的時代。婚姻正處在極大的壓力下，家庭結構崩潰。每年都有許許多多的人在生命退出之前，從未聽過耶穌基督的福音。有智慧地投資生命，對於你與你周遭的人是非常重要的。愚蠢地把時間投資在罪惡或享樂的追求上，會讓你與周遭的人付上極大的代價。

邪惡的追求通常不會劫掠你的時間。更確切地說，我們所遭遇的試探，往往是以次好的代替最好的。敵人知道公然引誘你做邪惡的事，是過於招搖的行為，所以，它分散你的注意力，好叫你沒有時間能夠實踐神的旨意。它會讓你的時間表充滿好的事情，叫你沒有時間實踐神最美好的計劃。你可能會不注意地把宗教活動代替神的旨意，追求自己為神國所定的目標，來代替等候神所分派的任務。時間是一件價值不菲的寶貝，你一定要有智慧地投資你的時間。

Redeeming the Time

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

These days we are bombarded with opportunities that entice us to invest our time and energy. Each day the voices of urgency cry out for every available moment. So many causes promise that time spent on them will reap great rewards; how can we recognize God’s voice among so many competing voices?

A fool makes unwise choices with his time. With every new opportunity that comes along, the fool chases off in a different direction, not questioning whether that is the best choice. The loudest voice gains his attention. At some point the fool discovers to his dismay that he has squandered the investment of his time.

The days in which you live are evil. Marriages are under tremendous pressure, families are disintegrating. Multitudes are dying each year without hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Investing your life wisely is critical to you and to those around you. Foolishly spending your time in sinful or wasteful pursuits can cost you and others dearly.

Often, it is not evil pursuits that rob your time. Rather, the temptation is to sacrifice what is best for what is good. The enemy knows that blatantly tempting you with evil will be obvious, so he will lure you with distractions, leaving you no time to carry out God’s will. He will tempt you to so fill your schedule with good things that you have no time for God’s best. You may inadvertently substitute religious activity for God’s will, pursuing your own goals for God’s kingdom instead of waiting for His assignment. Time is a precious commodity. Be sure to invest it wisely.