“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)
It’s January, the start of a new year. Many consider it an opportunity for a fresh start. We can put last year’s disappointments and failures behind us and begin with a clean slate. We make resolutions, choose a focus word for the year, set goals, and begin our journey toward self-improvement. Also during this month, many churches set times of prayer and fasting to help us focus on the spiritual.
checking my priorities
These opening days of 2026 are an excellent time for reflection and self-examination, especially about our relationship with the Lord. Is He a priority in our lives? Have we grown in our walk with Him? Are we aligned with His will?
Ephesians 5:15 tells us to examine how we walk and to consider how to make the best use of our time. Here are just a few of the questions that may help us get started on this self-examination.
- Do I hunger after God and things of the Spirit?
- Have I grown closer to the Lord since this time last year?
- Do I seek God’s will before making decisions?
- Do I use my God-given talents and abilities to glorify the Lord?
- Do I set aside time each day for prayer and the Word?
- Does the love of God shine through my words and actions?
- Am I a good steward of my time?
I recently made a call to check on a business matter. The associate was pleasant and helpful. She answered my questions and also made some suggestions that would save me a bit of money. Before we disconnected, she told me that I would receive a survey from her company asking me to rate her service. It was nicely phrased, but she said that any score below a certain number (basically 10 out of 10) would reflect poorly on her record.
I always wonder how a survey helps improve service when I’m told that only a perfect score is acceptable. That incident reminded me that when I examine my spiritual walk, I need to be honest with myself. I am not perfect. There will always be room for growth in my relationship with the Lord.
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (II Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
A precious commodity
Each day the Lord places 1,440 minutes in my time bank. Time is a precious commodity, a gift from God. I can use my time wisely or I can allow those minutes to be wasted on things that have no eternal value. Lord, help me to commit each day into Your keeping so that my life glorifies You and advances Your kingdom.
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4, KJV)
Each morning, commit your day to the Lord and ask Him to help you do something during the day that will have eternal significance.
Suggestion: Rather than quickly rushing through the seven questions above, reflect on one question each day this week during your personal devotional time. Journal your thoughts and search for verses of Scripture that will help you in this self-examination.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
