"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:16.

Leaders realize that every opportunity is limitied by time. Therefore a leader must be conscience of time all the time. It is the responsibility of a leader to see that tasks are started on time and finished before the deadline. This is something which no leader but Jesus ever did perfectly, but it is an aspect of leadership in which every leader must constantly seek to improve---if he wants to succeed as a leader.

There Is a Proper Time For Everything

Ecc. 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Windows of Opportunity

Jesus said, "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). Jesus knew that the window of opportunity for him to fulfil his ministry would be open for only a short time. The work which the Father sent him to do could not be put off. Every day the sun comes up to give us light. We must get up and use this daylight to do the work we have been called to do, because when the sun sets darkness will make it much more difficult, if not impossible, to work.

Winning Races

The Bible teaches us that our life is like a series of races. Like it or not, all aspects of life are competitive. If we are not careful we will lose every single race, and be a total failure.

The apostle Paul wrote:

1 Cor. chapter 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

In every race of your life there will be others with whom you compete. They will all probably expend about the same amount of energy, but only one will finish first---and that person will win the prize. The others will receive nothing for their efforts. That may seem unfair, but that is reality. The person in the race that consumes the least time will win. Always be conscious of the time.

If you want to win, you must put your heart into coming in first. "So run" means to run in a manner that will give you the victory. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest" (Ecc. 9:10).

If you about where the race will be run, or about what time the race will start, or about what direction to run, or about the rules of the race, you will very likely lose. We gain the certainty that gives us the winning edge in the races of life by meditating in God's word daily, so that we read first hand what God's will is.

Redeeming the Time

We redeem the time by making proper choices concerning how we use time. If you were planning to play a game of Solitaire, but choose instead to read your Bible, you have redeemed time. If you were going to spend the evening watching TV or playing a computer game, but choose instead to knock some doors to tell others about Christ and invite them to church, you have redeemed time.

Harvesting Souls

John 4:31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Prov. 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Prov. 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Prov. 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

NOW is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)