Under The Surface: Week 1 - Friday

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:15-16

When we feel lonely, we have a choice to make. We can respond by wasting our time doing things to try to fill the loneliness we feel with false senses of comfort, or we can use our time well and grow in our relationships with God. I do not know about you, but I want to seek God and use my time well when I feel lonely. Today we are going to look at Ephesians chapter 5, which will remind us to make the most of our time, even lonely times.

The apostle Paul issues this warning in Ephesians chapter 5: "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days" (verses 15-16). In these verses, Paul reminds us to make the most of the time that we have. This includes times of loneliness. You see, it can be tempting, when feeling lonely, to spend all of your time trying to find comfort watching endless amounts of television, eating all of your favorite unhealthy foods, spending endless hours on social media, but that is not the best use of our time. A far better option is to use the lonely seasons for good. We can use our times of loneliness to read books, help other people, serve in the Church, and most importantly, to grow close to God. When we leverage our seasons of loneliness to grow closer to God and serve Him, we will certainly look back on those times with gratitude, thankful that we used our time of loneliness for good.

So, my friend, if you are feeling lonely, how will you use this season? Will you use it poorly, or will you use it well? I urge you, lean into God, serve in the Church, help someone else. Make the most of these times, even when they are difficult and lonely. I promise you will be glad you did.

Moving Toward Action

Let's determine today to use our time well, even when we feel lonely. What habit or activity can you take up in an effort to use your time well? Maybe you can start serving in Church. Maybe you can write encouraging letters to those who are hurting. Maybe you can spend more time reading your Bible and praying to God. Pick one habit or activity to take up during your time of loneliness so that you will use your time well.

Going Deeper

Read Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)