♦A 22, 2019

Montgomery Bap st Priori es:

The Gospel Above All / The Plan ng and Replan ng of Churches for All People / The Sending of Missionaries to the Ends of the Earth

MAKING THE BEST USE OF OUR TIME

Time marches on…at least that’s what the country song by Tracy
Lawrence told me. As another summer break comes to an end, and
the school year gets underway, I am reminded of the saying, “The
days are long, but the years are short.” It seems like just a few
weeks ago we were celebrating the New Year, and yet, here we
are again at the start of another football season. Don’t
misunderstand me, I wish it was always football season, but my
point is simply that time never stops…until it does. We are not
promised tomorrow, and every day that passes brings us one day
closer to the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As
Dr. Daniel followers of Jesus, we look forward to this day with eager
Gillenwater anticipation, but for those living in the River Region, and around
the world, who do not know Christ; the day of the Lord will not be
cause for joy. With this truth in mind, I think we would do well to remember the words
of Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV) “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise
but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Are we making the best use of our time? This is a question we would do well to ask of
ourselves, our families, and our churches. Technology continues
to bring about new time-saving devices, and yet we continue to
overburden our schedules and fill every single minute of our day.
However, being busy is not the same as making the best use of our
time. If we are not careful, we fall into the trap of living under the
tyranny of the urgent. We allow work deadlines, sporting events,
and various other activities to compete for our limited amount of
time. But what is most urgent is not always what is most
important. Many of us in the church today would greatly benefit
from reevaluating our schedules and time commitments.
If we were to do this, what criteria would we use in our revaluation? I would
recommend this, let us evaluate everything we do in relation to the Great
Commandment (Matthew 22:35-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Are we loving God? Are we loving our neighbor? Are we making disciples? This is a unique opportunity to make an
Everything else can wait. In my family life, work-life, and church life, am I loving international impact without leaving Montgomery!
God? Am I loving my neighbor? Am I making disciples? Join me this week in taking a Become a Friendship Family for an Auburn
prayerful look at our schedules. Am I spending time every day in God’s Word and University Montgomery international student
prayer? Am I actively involved in a community of believers where I can love and be through the “Friendship Family” program
loved? Am I keeping my eyes open for opportunities to make disciples? organized by AUM BCM (Baptist Campus
Fair warning, some things may have to be eliminated from our schedule to make room Ministries). You will not be providing housing, just
for more important things, so that we “make the best use of the time, because the days friendship.
are evil.” For more information and/or an application,
contact Evelyn Pate at 334-277-6238 or
-Dr. Daniel Gillenwater is senior pastor of The Church at Eastern Oaks and evelynpate.bcm@gmail.com.
moderator of the MBA’s Executive Board. Application deadline is August 31.

Montgomery Baptist Association • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
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