Time Change Weekend Ephesians 5:15-21

Ever wonder if God has a sense of humor? For those of us studying the second half of Ephesians 5 this Sunday, it seems pretty clear. Why else would we be studying a verse admonishes us ‘to make the most of the time’ on fall-back time change weekend (Eph. 5:16, HCSB)? Isn’t this the weekend we plan on sleeping an extra hour? It is as though, Paul reaches across the centuries and turns on our alarm clocks.

Time Change, an interesting ‘man’ concept, isn’t it? Man controlling time for his benefit. In every aspect it’s purposes are opposed to the will of God; one more hour to work, one more hour to play. Busyness every where. (Ever notice how close the words busyness and business are?)

The concept is attributed to Ben Franklin in a parody to his proverb “Early to bed, early to rise...” where he suggested the French would do well to rise an hour early. There is something wrong with my life being controlled by a parody of the French.

It speaks to the Puritan values of working hard that have become our American dream. Don’t waste. Use all the sunlight. Keeping working to move ahead.

Paul goes on to remind us to understand what the Lord’s will is. Fortunately, our Lord calls us to relationship rather than work, rest rather than busyness. Our first call is to bring ourselves into the right relationship with our God. Living full of the spirit, we can reach out to others singing spiritual songs and giving thanks to the Father.

This time change Sunday, who will you reach out too in songs of praise and thanksgiving? Is there someone in your contact file for whom you need to stop your busy world? Will you share the hour you gain with them?

Let me know what you think.