“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”(Ephesians 5:15-17)
In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (Act 4, Scene 3), Brutus declares:
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.”
Shakespeare uses the formal definition of the Latin word opportunus as a powerful metaphor highlighting the importance of seizing opportunity. When the tide is high, ships can sail far; miss the moment, and the opportunity is lost. The original word was a nautical term reflecting the coming and going of the tide. “The word is a combination of the prefix ob, meaning ‘to,’ and portus, a word for a port or harbor. It originally alluded to choosing any port in a storm for safety” (Merriam-Webster). To the sailing vessel, picking the opportune tide determined whether they would sail out of the port. Brutus is saying that, just as sailors must ride the tide at its peak to reach their destination successfully, men must seize opportunities at the right moment in life. If they hesitate, they risk failure and regret.
He speaks of life’s fleeting opportunities—moments when decisive action leads to success but is missed, resulting in regret and stagnation. The metaphor is vivid: a ship must launch when the tide is full, or it will be grounded in the shallows.
Centuries before Shakespeare, the Apostle Paul penned a far more profound and eternal truth in his letter to the Ephesians. He warned believers to live wisely and intentionally and to redeem time—that is, to seize each moment for God’s purpose. Why? Because “the days are evil.” The tides of culture often pull us toward compromise, distraction, or apathy. Yet God’s people are called to move in the opposite direction—with urgency and wisdom.
Paul does not urge action for success alone, but for alignment with God’s will. Wisdom is not just good strategy; it is Spirit-led living. God has preordained opportunities for each of us (Ephesians 2:10), and our challenge is not to create them but to recognize and respond to them.
If we apply this principle to our lives, we will:
· Discern the moment by asking God to show us where He is opening doors today. Waiting for perfect conditions is a waste of time (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
· Act with wisdom rather than impulsively. Urgency can often lead to gut reactions of impulse. Seek God’s Word and counsel before taking any action.
· Stay alert and watchful instead of being distracted. Social noise, busyness, and fear can blind you to spiritual opportunities. Silence your soul and tune into God’s guidance.
Reflective Questions:
• Am I alert to the opportunities God is giving me today—to serve, speak truth, love, or lead?
• What current in my life am I resisting out of fear, laziness, or distraction?
• How can I better understand and walk in the Lord’s will today?
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to count my days and to live wisely. Help me see Your hand at work in my life, move when You move, and trust Your timing over my own. Let me not waste the moments You’ve ordained.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.