Every Opportunity

 

Ephesians 5:15-16: “ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (NKJV)

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.” (NIV)

 That phrase “making the MOST of every opportunity” jumped out at me as I was reading my ONE YEAR BIBLE recently. I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. CAN YOU BELIEVE...God has over and over challenged me to “make the MOST of opportunities” He has brought to me since I read that verse. 

The word “redeem” has many definitions but can be “to get, to buy back, or to exchange for something of value.” That fits well with “making the MOST of every opportunity” because we are using our time to make a difference, to contribute something of value.

All we have to do is to study the Gospels to see how Jesus made a difference...making the MOST of every opportunity. Just in Luke 7-9, He related to a Centurion, a widow, a storm, five thousand and more hungry people,  a demon-possessed boy...just to name a few. Each was treated with compassion and mercy and purpose.

Who has come across your path this past week who needed help but you thought: “Maybe later. I am too busy right now.” 

We need to BE ALERT...FOCUS...keep our “heads up” looking for opportunities. Now consider in our next few verses, Colossians 4:5-6:

^“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (NKJV)

⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (NIV)

So...we need to ask God for opportunities to help, but we also need wisdom in our choices. Making the MOST of an opportunity might just be involving another person to serve. Or encouraging the one who is dependent to step out and do his or her best to accomplish the task.  This means that “every opportunity” does not entail your doing the work but just acting as encourager.

Then we need grace in our speech when we are called upon to do something that is totally disrupting OUR schedule. We need grace in our attitudes. Philippians 1:27a:  “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

That is the bottom line, isn’t it? The Gospel of Christ!  I Timothy 2:3: “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved...” We must be constantly alert to those around us who need the Lord Jesus. Sometimes it takes months to cross that bridge with a neighbor or even family member to talk to them about their need for salvation. But let’s make the most of every opportunity.

--Maylou Holladay