Good evening brethren and Happy Sabbath!  For those in Columbia, we will be having a potluck after services tomorrow.

Time to lean? Time to clean!

On the factory floors of the places I've worked over the years, when supervisors saw people standing around doing nothing, they'd often yell out, "Time to lean, time to clean!"  Meaning, if you have time to lean around and do nothing, you have time to take a few minutes and tidy up around your workspace.

It was a friendly reminder, usually around the end of the day, that when you are at work, you are being paid for your time, and thus, you should try and be productive at all times.

What are you doing with your time?

As we approach the Passover and Unleavened Bread, we've probably been thinking about cleaning quite a bit.  I just finished my office yesterday, which was a big job.  I hope to do the cars later today or on Sunday.  After that, I'll help my wife flip over the beds and couches to vacuum.  She typically takes care of the kitchen, pantry, fridge and freezer.

Apart from that though, we recognize the need to be cleaning ourselves up spiritually. Examining our actions to see what it is we might need to eliminate from our lives, from bad habits to deep rooted mindsets.  Beyond that, we can examine the whys behind them.  Why can't I stop at just one piece of pie? Why do I get so angry so quickly, or jump to harsh judgements of others?

Get cleaning

We are told to walk circumspectly and redeem the time in Ephesians 5:15-16.  The Message translation (not one I use for doctrinal matters, but can be helpful at times) says it this way, "So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!"

Times indeed are desperate.  It might not seem so to the world around us, but we surely know better.  Let's make sure we use our head so that rather than stand around and watch, we make the most of the opportunity to get and keep ourselves clean!