Second Key to Thriving
Be The One Family,
I’m excited to share our second key to thriving in a hard season. I would love to hear from you, as we are always working hard to find new ways to encourage you. The 7 keys to thriving in a hard season come right out of Ephesians 5:15-21. Let’s look at the verse and unpack a couple of thoughts.
Ephesians 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Take heart! This verse tells us there will be those days! In fact it doesn't sugar coat it at all, it says the days are evil. Did you read that?! Did that hit you?! I’m not sure if you woke up today and thought, yep, just another EVIL day ahead of me… While I am playing, it is true. You can’t turn on the news without hearing of another story of evil actions. Whether it is about: Corruption, Lawlessness, Racism, Pedophilia, Sickness or the political divide in America; it all just seems evil.
THE 2ND KEY TO THRIVING IN A HARD SEASON: REDEEM THE TIME The Apostle Paul encourages us to REDEEM THE TIME. In other words, good can happen in the midst of evil. There is nothing we can do about evil days that are coming. This letter to the church in Ephesus sounds like it was written today. Why? Because evil is still happening. There are evil people, there are evil plans, there are evil leaders, and there are evil laws. We can find evil everywhere. While we may not be able to stop all evil, you can redeem it!
Over the last several months I’ve watched as the Be the One family worked to redeem the time. In this evil and hard season we’ve been able to help tons of people through outreach. We’ve extensively upgraded our online presence, which allows people all over the world to be able to experience what God is doing through BTO. We have seen people that have grown closer together, produced deeper connections, and grown spiritually.
My point is don’t let the evil days steal your joy or hope! By the power of the Holy Spirit YOU can redeem the time. Let's use this season to strengthen our families and friendships. Let’s pick up a book rather than a remote, open our bibles and start that prayer life we've been trying to develop, and take what the enemy meant for our destruction and use it for God’s good!
Two quick thoughts about redeeming the time:
1. Even when it's bad you can do good.
2. Evil days don’t win unless you give up.
We are praying for you!
Love ya,
Pastor Steven