Redeeming the Time: How to Take Back Your Days and Live With Purpose
- Edikan Uko
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Scripture Reading: Genesis 29:15–30, Ephesians 5:15–21
Time is one of the greatest gifts God has given to mankind. Unlike money, it cannot be saved, borrowed, or stored. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. And yet, it is the very currency with which we build our lives, fulfill our destinies, and serve our God. The apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians, pleads with believers to walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (From Ephesians 5: 15 to 17).
Redeeming the time means recognizing its value and using it intentionally for God and the advancement of your assignment. It also means being alert and spiritually discerning, lest the enemy deceive you into wasting your years on fruitless pursuits.
We see a sobering example in the story of Jacob, who, out of love for Rachel, agreed to work for seven years. But due to Laban’s deceit, he ended up working fourteen years—double what was originally agreed (See Genesis 29: 15 to 30) . Time can be stolen, delayed, or manipulated—through distractions, toxic relationships, fruitless labor, or spiritual ignorance.
But there’s hope: God is a Redeemer. What the enemy meant for loss, God can restore. However, restoration doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you ask God to restore (See Matthew 7: 7 - 8, Joel 2: 25), or you command the devil to restore all he has stolen from you (See Proverbs 6: 30 to 31). Restoration also comes when you live with intention, wisdom, and divine partnership.
Biblical Strategies for Time Mastery
Define Your Priorities Clearly
Not everything in life is equally important. Identify what matters most—your relationship with God, your calling, your family, your spiritual growth, building and growing your business. Let these guide your daily decisions.
Plan Your Days with Purpose
Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty.” Planning prevents confusion. Create weekly and daily goals that align with your values and God’s direction for your life.
Seek God First Each Morning
Time spent in God’s presence at the start of your day is never wasted. Matthew 6:33 reminds us: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Commit Your Plans to the Lord
Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Invite God into your schedule. When He directs your steps, time is multiplied, not drained. When you commit your plans to God, and He tells you to abandon your plan, and gives you another plan, obey the Lord. The scripture says in Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" - NKJV. So always be willing to drop your plans altogether and go wholly with God's plan.
Avoid Laziness and Idle Talk
“In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23). Make your work count—whether it’s parenting, studying, running a business, or serving in ministry.
Use the Priority Matrix
This practical tool helps you organize your tasks into four categories:
Important and Urgent
Important but Not Urgent
Urgent but Not Important
Neither Urgent nor Important
This helps you focus your energy on what truly matters, avoiding burnout from constantly reacting to urgency.
Urgent | Not Urgent | |
Important | DO FIRST | SCHEDULE |
Tasks that are critical and time-sensitive. Examples: deadlines, crises, urgent meetings. | Tasks that are important for long-term success. Examples: strategic planning, personal development, relationship building. | |
Not Important | DELEGATE | ELIMINATE |
Tasks that demand attention now but do not contribute meaningfully to goals. Examples: interruptions, some emails, meetings. | Distractions and time-wasters. Examples: social media scrolling, excessive entertainment, trivial busywork. |
Eliminate Time-Wasters and Distractions
Social media, toxic conversations, overcommitment, and worry can drain your hours. Guard your time like treasure. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize and remove anything that eats into your destiny.
Here are some scriptures that tell us what God thinks about being wasteful and time wasters:
John 6:12 (KJV)
"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
Proverbs 18:9 (ESV)
"Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys."
Ephesians 5:15–16 (NKJV)
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
Invite the Holy Spirit Into Your Schedule
God knows what each day holds. When you invite Him to lead, He will prompt you when to act, when to pause, and when to say no. This spiritual sensitivity is crucial to using time wisely.
Memory Verse
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15–16 (NKJV)
Make Every Day Count
The most important time-management technique ever is to ensure that every moment you spend on earth is spent in God's presence and in Him. A life without Christ is an empty life headed to eternal damnation. The Bible says in Mark 8: 36 (NKJV):
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Ensure your days count and your name is written in the book of life, and when your time on earth is over, you are going into eternal rest, to spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus. To do that you need to surrender your life to Jesus and make Him the Lord of your life, and begin a new life in Christ. If you come to God in surrender, and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and accept you, and come into your heart, He will do so right away, even now regardless of your past sins and failings. To surrender your life to Jesus, and receive forgiveness, and have your name written in the book of life, pray the Salvation Prayer out loud right now and mean it from your heart.
Prayer Points
Lord, thank You for the gift of life and the time You’ve given me to fulfill my purpose.
Father, help me to live each day with clarity, wisdom, and productivity.
Grant me discernment, Lord, so I may walk in Your will and avoid time traps.
In the Name of Jesus, uproot anything in my life that does not align with Your purpose.
Teach me to manage my time wisely and bear fruit in every season.
By the Blood of Jesus, cancel every manipulation or distraction designed to waste my time and delay my destiny.
Final Reflection
Your time is your life. How you spend your hours is how you spend your destiny. Start today by asking the Holy Spirit to help you steward each moment. Live with focus. Walk in wisdom. And trust God to redeem every lost hour and turn it into a testimony.
About the Author
Edikan Uko is a visionary entrepreneur and business leader who uses technology to build ventures that empower lives and solve real-world problems. With deep expertise in digital ecosystems and a passion for innovation, she leads multiple tech-driven businesses with purpose and impact. An alumna of the University of Strathclyde Business School, Edikan is also a passionate Bible teacher, speaker, and founder of Arise Global Intercessors and the Uko Literacy Initiative, which provides free adult literacy programs in underserved communities.
She is the editor of LoveFaithandMiracles.com, a Christian platform dedicated to evangelism and discipleship, offering biblically-based content to help people know Jesus and grow in their faith. The site features practical resources for all areas of Christian living in a dynamic, tech-enabled format. Across business, ministry, and education, Edikan is committed to using technology to inspire, uplift, and transform lives.
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