to walk, to make one's way…

Ephesians 5:15-21

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,
²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

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I lead a Men’s group at my church.  I’ve learned over time that each meeting that I go into requires that I center myself on God’s will.  If I try to come up with the points on the material we are learning that I can ‘wow’ them with or if I try to make sure that I’m coming across as the right man to be in front of the class, I’m failing.

It’s not that those classes where I have my own goals are failures.  They just pale in comparison to the classes where I ask him to use me for his purposes before we start.  In fact, when I ask him, I don’t even have to work hard at it.

Today’s scripture has so many good points, but I think it’s when you look at it as a whole that it really sinks in for me.  Verse 15 makes an obvious statement on being wise and 16 says to make the best use of time.  But the important thing is the description on how to be wise AND make the best use of time.  This is explained in verse 17 when we are told but understand what the will of the Lord is.

And from my experience in leading that class, just makes me realize that verses 18 through 21 aren’t a subject switch.  Instead, it ties together.  For when we do understand the Lord’s will, we are filled with the Spirit.  We can be addressing one another in psalms and hymns and we can make melody to the Lord.  It’s something I have to remind myself of every time we get ready to start class.  I should probably remind myself of it every time I take a breath.