Win Before Sunset

Ephesians 5:16

“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

In the spirit of March Madness happening this week, I am reminded that every basketball game comes down to a few key moments. There is a small window where everything is decided. Usually, teams don’t win because they did everything right; they win because they executed in the moments that mattered most. It’s all about timing.

Ephesians 5:16 says to make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. That means time is not neutral. It is either being used for good or being wasted. Paul reminds us that the moments before us matter more than we think. Every conversation, decision, and opportunity is important. Just like in a game, there are windows in life where the right action at the right time can change everything.

There is a quote that says, “We will have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but only a few hours before sunset to win them.” – Amy Carmichael. In other words, the victories of life are not won in the “one day I’ll get around to it” faith; they are won in the “day one” faith. There is no time like today to start working on your dreams and goals.

I know, for me, prioritizing can be a struggle. Sometimes I find myself working on meaningless tasks for hours, and neglecting the most important ones. This can make me feel like I am being productive, but in reality, I am not being effective. The Lord is showing me lately how to focus on what matters most to maximize my impact for the kingdom.

So today, choose to win before sunset. When Jacob was blessing his sons before the end of his life, this is what he said about his son Benjamin. The Bible says in Genesis 49:27, “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” I speak that over whoever is reading this today. It is time to start hunting your prey early and making the most of your opportunities because life is short. We can have the vision, the calling, even the right intentions, but if we do not act with urgency and follow through with discipline, we miss out on what could have been. Winning is not just about effort; it is about execution in the moments that matter most.

Maybe that looks like showing forgiveness to someone who doesn’t deserve it, making your relationship right with a friend or a spouse, reading the Bible in the morning before scrolling, or starting a workout plan, whatever the Lord is asking you to give up, let today be the reminder to win before the sunset.

Prayer: Lord, help me have urgency for advancing the kingdom today. I confess that sometimes I am like Martha, getting distracted by meaningless and pointless tasks instead of being like Mary and prioritizing sitting and worshiping at Your feet. I just want Your kingdom to come, and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Maximize my impact, expand my territory, and help me prioritize correctly. In Jesus’ name, amen.