Daily Lesson for June 3, 2022

 Today's Daily Lesson comes from Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15 through 20:

15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The writer of Ephesians is worried about how we are taking care of ourselves during hard times -- "evil days" as the writer calls them. The days are evil and the writer knows that people are struggling. The word is given to encourage, to resolve, and to keep from despair.

There is a concern about drinking. This is not a puritanical word. During evil days, it's easy to lose oneself in wine and margaritas. Warm and happy for a time, they can't gladden the heart like worship and community.

We need each other, the writer is saying, and we need to be together in solidarity. That is part of the reason why the pandemic was so hard on so many, and why so many started abusing alcohol during that time. It's easy to isolate and despair; and many die deaths of isolation and despair. That's part of what makes these days so dangerous.

The days are evil, so we have to be "wise" about the way we are living. We have to make good, and life-affirming, and life-giving choices. We have to invest ourselves in positive relationships.

The days are evil, let's call it that. But there is goodness to be found, and there is goodness to be done. So let us do what is commended and sing and give thanks in gratitude for the blessings which can be found "at all times" -- including even in days like these.

We need each other right now; and we need to watch out for one another too.

So let's be sure to take care.

Note: I'm headed to youth camp next week (pray for us!). So expect Daily Lessons to return June 13.

Ryon Price is Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.