In order to be restored to authenticity, we need to surrender our time.

Paul referenced this as, “Redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16 KJV). The NIV translates this phrase, “making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:16 NIV). Paul had at least two choices for his word, time: chronos or kairos. Chronos is where we get our English word, chronology, meaning “the clock.” Kairos means “the right time, or just in time.” That is why the NIV translates “redeeming the time” as “making the most of every opportunity.”

Both translations imply that in order to surrender our time to the Restorer, we must transition from chronos to kairos, from following our own selfish agendas on the clock to making the most of every opportunity to meet the needs of others at the right time. We move from trusting in the gift to trusting in the Giver.

Restoring our time means living in the present, which truly is a gift to experience the presence of the Restorer. Some of us are managing our lives backwards from the design God has in store for us. We focus on the past or the future and lock out the present. Consequently, we are so busy accomplishing our selfish tasks that we rarely have time to listen to His still small voice, His whisper (1 Kings 19:12). All we hear is the static of our fallen culture’s messages that tells us how to hurry through life on this side.

The key that unlocks His restoration is full surrender of our time to the Restorer. Today, make the most of every opportunity and see every encounter as a Divine appointment to connect others with Christ.

Episode 12: Restoring Our Time, Talent, and Treasure with Jim Bradley from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.

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