Don't Waste an Opportunity for Good

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17

There is a great temptation right now, in the face of a pandemic, to hide away and wait for time to pass and this trouble to fade away. This is exactly what the world is doing and what the evil one would want us doing as well. However, we have something that the world does not. We have the word of God. We can understand what the will of the Lord is for us and we must pursue it.

Look around and you will see a world caught up in fear. A world clinging so tightly to worthless things that they are hording toilet paper. We ought not follow the course of this world, for we have a different course plotted for us. Beloved, do not loose sight of the goal! We are called to be salt and light in this world. We have been given the gospel of Christ to proclaim to this lost world. Don't hide away and wait for this time to pass. Rather, recognize that the time is now. This is the time when we ought to be preaching the gospel the loudest.

Do you remember the parable of the tenants as given to us in Matthew 25? The master entrusted money to his three servants and gave a different amount to each one according to his ability. Two of the three servants invested the masters money wisely and were able to present him with a return on his investment. The master said to them "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much." However, one of the servants was fearful and buried the money in the ground and therefore had no return on the master's investment. His master answered him "You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scatter no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest."

Beloved, in these evil days we are called to be wise. Do not bury what the Lord has given you in the ground. This is not a time to shelter in fear, but a time to proclaim the truth with boldness. Invest what the Lord has given you in others, for the harvest is plentiful. Share what you have with believers and unbelievers alike. May we be a people who see God's goodness even in times of trouble.

I have seen some wonderful things in the last couple of weeks and I want to leave you with these examples as an encouragement. I have seen the gospel proclaimed to the lost. I have seen our ladies looking out for one another in simple ways such as keeping an eye out for elusive goods at the grocery store or sending a word of encouragement. I have seen our people setting up virtual meetings with one another just to stay connected and live life together. I have seen people sharing possessions with others in order to make it possible for them to work from home. I have seen many physical acts of service toward one another in grocery shopping, moving heavy items, cooking meals, and more. The possibilities are endless. No matter your stage in life God has given you talents that you can invest in others. Look for these opportunities! They may not look the same as what you are used to but they are there. Be about the work of the ministry that God has called you to.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." - Gal 6:9-10