“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
“You missed it!” Had that statement come from anyone else but God, I maybe wouldn’t have felt so bad. But I clearly heard the words and knew EXACTLY what He meant. Having earnestly prayed for an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone yesterday, the opportunity came, and went, without me playing my part. Because while working on a good thing, I had missed the best thing!
After dropping Katie’s car off for service, we needed to eat. A project was waiting at home so I preferred to be quick. Turning down a busy restaurant, we opted for a slower place not as frequented. I had forgotten that the last time we were there, service took over an hour! As we sat at the bar, clock ticking, I was working on my patience when a man came and sat down right beside me!
Hunger, fatigue and time wasted are proven distractors. We chose to sit at the bar for speed, which didn’t work out. When conversation with the man started, I wasn’t really paying attention like I should have been. Being irritated at the horrible service, I debated simply leaving. So conversation with the man became trivial. As he was leaving, I got the call from Above! ‘YOU MISSED!’
I’m experienced at this enough to know that my NOT talking to the man about his Eternal Life doesn’t make for the possibility of his possible residence in the Lake of Fire. God grants many opportunities to everyone. But like tests in school, tests are meant to prepare me for the REAL world. I had flunked this one by paying more attention to behaving than evangelizing! 2 lessons in 1 experience!
I constantly have to remind myself that “THIS WORLD IS A WAR ZONE!” And that ‘I’ am His soldier. I realize how uncomfortable those statements can make people feel. Most, including satan, would prefer a quiet, easy, unspectacular arrangement. Heaven and Hell, life or death, can so easily be exaggerated or taken too seriously. I too prefer, “Oh well,” to “I’m ashamed of myself I missed!”
But as days tick by, turning into years, missing the point of my life and doing what God created me for, is up to ME to evaluate. I either am serious and getting better, or I’m winging it on a hope and a wish for more mercy. God reminded me this morning, in this verse, that if I want to serve Him, I’d better suit up and pay more careful attention. Distractions are simply weapons of the enemy.
Are YOU living with purpose and asking God to use you TODAY? What distracts you from that work? Are you learning, from the tests, how to be focused and successful for the real thing God is setting before you? Today, do you look forward to the opportunity God is setting up for you? Are you ready and willing to show up for Jesus and help or possibly take someone from the hand’s of the bad guys?
