Making The Most of Every Opportunity

Ephesians 5:15-17

(NIV)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

The first part of this verse refers to jumping at every chance we have to witness.

I have some idea why Paul follows with, "the days are evil."

The unexpected happens and we could lose an opportunity to touch someone's life.

Consider the asteroid that fell from the sky over Chelyabinsk, Russia, last week. My Russian sister Olga shared with me yesterday her first-hand account of the terrifying sounds, blinding light, and confusion that blanketed the city. Every window shattered at the school her sons attend.

Olga is an oncologist who lived with us for a time (16 years ago) while she studied at two American hospitals. She brought her husband and children to the States this past summer, to New York City and Minnesota. Sadly, we couldn't afford the trip to rendezvous with them in either location.

A second reason is this...

When we don't jump at the chance to make something right, time goes by and miscommunications compound. The truth, and healing, become more distant. Distance and awkwardness set in. Bitterness has a chance to grow.

I believe that there are situations where "waiting for things to work themselves out" only makes the problem worse.

The world says, "time heals all things." Ephesians says to me, "hop to it!"