Redeeming Time

 

Redeeming Time

 

By: Susan Deborah Schiller     In the "Devotional" Series

 

Where do the minutes, months, and millenia go?

Why did our Creator make dark and light?

What is the purpose of the sun and the starry night?

 

We measure Time. We measure Space.

But infinity has no end.

Where am I, standing on this infinite continuum?

 

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesisan 5:16 

 

So many of my earthly days seem "wasted" –

Time was stolen from me.

Can it, too, be redeemed?

 

"Trail blazer, hunter, and wilderness guide,

In Me, you abide.

I've made you, formed you, and called you My own."

 

"In Me, you abide.

I've made you and formed you.

You are My very own."

 

"I am the Maker of Time.

Call on Heaven and we'll be right at your door.

Covenant-maker and covenant-keeper, I am."

 

I have been pondering on Redeeming the Time… because at age 53, my days are increasingly limited. What does "Redeeming the Time" look like today, at my age, after so many years of living in hell?

 

"You are my treasure," I hear that still, small voice say. "I take great delight in you."

 

To hear His voice, marks this Time in eternity for me. It is enough. I look back on the Time continuum and see Loss, Loneliness, and "Loser" marking my days.

 

He sees TREASURE and takes DELIGHT in me!

 

I remember the day so well, in my bedroom – that place of prayer – where I declared to Him, "Father, I only want to give You pleasure; I want to be Your friend. Even if it means I do nothing else than sit here and listen to You, and pray, intercede, and just be a Home for you."

 

My life was so limited by persecution those days, mocking, and verbal abuse that choked my breath of life away. I knew my days were limited, even my physical infirmity and agony, such that I could no longer endure the pain… but my joy could not be contained – the pure joy of being in His presence.

 

Oh, how I remember that day!

 

I am Redeeming Time today, by remembering my vow. I will be a home to Him, as He is Home to me. Outside, is pain and peril, as the world once again speaks of genocide, war, and famine. Iraqi children are beheaded, their heads raised on spikes, while their mothers and sisters are raped, and fathers must watch their houses burned down and they also die.

 

Redeem the Time. All we have this moment. 

 

When I look behind, there is deep pain, agony, and loss. When I look to the future I see a world strangled by the illusion of power and money. But here in Now, I am Home. I am at Peace.

 

No matter what may happen to me, whether poverty or disease, whether popularity and success, whether I live or die, I made my Father laugh. Somehow in the Now I step outside of Time. It's neither past nor future. It's just now-here. This "Now" is where eternity exists.

 

Somehow, this makes me joyful and hopeful. I will redeem the time by focusing on the One in front of me, Christ in my granddaughter. Christ in my neighbor. Christ in me.

 

I will look at the sunflowers and smile.

I will hang out the laundry and laugh.

I will dance in the moonlight.

I will grin in the face of disaster.

I will whisper a doxology in the darkness.

I will live this magical life,

for all of life is sacred.

I am the Lord's battering ram.

I am fully alive.

Surely, a wasted life is the very best life!

 

Using the words, "I am" and "I will" are words of creation. With these words, we create our world.

 

Will you Redeem the Time with me today, in whatever way God leads you?

 

It's time for change! Let's write ourselves into a better world!

With all my love,

Sue

Susan Schiller knows how it feels to lose everything: marriage and family, church and reputation, finances and businesses, and more. Susan's upcoming, interactive memoir, "On the Way Home," tells the story of how she came to be known as "the most abused woman" her counselors had yet met and how she learned to navigate her way out of hell to a rich and satisfying life. In her lifetime, Susan has served in duties ranging from home school mom – to pastor –  to full-time deliverance minister – and to Midwest regional prayer coordinator for a large international ministry. These days you can usually find Susan soaking in her favorite hot springs pool, reading a book (or several), blogging, baking bread, or hanging out with her family and friends. You can pre-order a free copy of Susan's upcoming book, "On the Way Home" by registering here.

Copyright 2014, Susan Schiller, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com.  For reprint permission for any private or commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan Schiller.