One of the volunteer activities I really enjoy is working with Habitat for Humanity. I’ve been doing that for quite some time, but even more so since retirement (at least when we are not traveling). A few years ago I was up on a ladder taking a measurement for a guy on the ground, and it was 19 5/8 inches. I made a comment, “that’s the year I was born.” The guy on the ground had a shocked look on his face. He said, “No. Really?” I said, “Yeah, 1958.” The other guy said, “That means I’m older than you!” He was surprised by that. I wasn’t sure how to take that!
A few minutes later, when I was back on the ground, we continued the conversation. He said he would was in his late sixties. I told him that was a good thing, to which he replied, “The way I look at it is that I’m that much closer to being dead.” My immediate response was, “Oh, I don’t worry about that.” Again, he had the shocked look on his face, but it soon turned to a smile. You see, he knows I’m a Christian. We’ve had many conversations about that. I openly share my confidence that Jesus paid for my sins and I know I’m going to heaven because of what He did for me. I try to make it part of my everyday conversations.
Colossians 4:2–6 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Sometimes I do that well. Others times not so much. I need to “make the most of every opportunity.” When you hear that phrase “make the most of every opportunity,” what thoughts does that bring to mind. Here are some of mine:
- Spend time with family and friends.
- Don’t always be in a rush to get to the next thing.
- Take time for worship and Bible Study. Help those in need.
- Offer assistance to those in need.
- Watch the sunset.
- Go fishing more often.
- And always be ready to tell people about Jesus.
Father, thank you for bringing me to know and believe that Jesus is my Savior and giving me the certainty of life and forgiveness. Help me to proclaim that message clearly as I should in my day to day life. Help me to fill my conversations with grace, your grace, so that I can make the most of every opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. In His most holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
