As I was reading in Ephesians 5 recently verses 15 and 16 caught my attention — Eph. 5:15 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” There is a lot in the context to suggest what is meant by “circumspectly”, (diligently, precisely, and accurately), with various do’s and don’ts suggested. “Redeeming the time” intrigued me, as I pondered afresh how we “redeem time”. To “redeem” has implications of buying back for a restored or new purpose, by purchasing and or rescuing from loss. We refer to God as a Redeemer, the work of Jesus to save us as redemptive, and we are the redeemed.
I was looking for something relevant to illustrate “redeeming the time”, and thoughts of recycled plastic or repurposed materials weren’t cutting it for me. I considered current organizations that could have a radical impact on our lives, and wondered if perhaps hospitals might be the most physically redemptive institution in our culture. People that come there sometimes are dying, and life saving treatment is administered. That’s radically redemptive! It isn’t that I haven’t heard people complain about hospitals and medical treatment. I’ve heard plenty of it! I know so many stories of getting help and hope from treatment. Diseases get diagnosed and treated. Cancers are confronted, hearts are repaired, bones are reset, wounds stitched up, and much much more. Without that once not possible treatment so many would have died or been terribly limited.
Over my years as a pastor, it has been suggested often that the church, specifically our church, should be a hospital. Years ago I thought we should be much more than that because we are a community. It didn’t occur to me how much community goes on in hospitals. People work sacrificially to save lives, help people, and care for each other. Is it perfect? Far from it! Buuuuut — let’s acknowledge how much we’ve been benefited and blessed by it.
I’d like to invite those at ACF specifically to join our gifts, talents, and callings in becoming a Christ honoring H.O.S.P.I.T.A.L. for our region.
- H – Healthy – 3John 2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
- O – Open Heaven – Matt 6:10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (a core part of the Lord’s prayer)
- S – Service – Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
- P – Prison Release – John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- I – Intercede – 2Chron 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
- T – Touch of God – Matt. 25:40 … “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
- A – Anointed – Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
- L – Light/Love – John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
For us to become that kind of H.O.S.P.I.T.A.L. in northern New York would fundamentally fulfill our mission statement. “Our mission is to live in the light of Jesus Christ: revealing God’s love, restoring true hope, transforming lives.” Doing this will validate our calling to live in communion with Christ as His body here and now. That is my heart, and I hope it is yours as well.