Always Be Ready
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. Colossians 4:5-6 NIV
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal
through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf to be reconciled to God. 2
Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Not again! How many times is this going to happen, I asked myself as I
discovered my empty lunch plate. Kate our Labrador retriever had made the most
of her opportunity once again. No amount of scolding or discipline was breaking
her of this habit of stealing unattended food stuffs. Oh well, I lamented, as I
trundled back to the kitchen, that hot dog wasn't a good choice for me anyway.
Looking back, I often find myself laughing at Kate's antics which were at one
time such an annoyance, for in hindsight she taught me much as a Christian when
it comes to making the most of every opportunity. God has called us to be
Christ's ambassadors in this world, to make the most of every opportunity to
share the good news of salvation; good news which, when received by faith,
snatches souls from the jaws of spiritual death. Spiritual death is eternity
without God, total darkness, total chaos, whereas spiritual life ensures an
eternity of light and harmony, in the presence of God our Lord and maker.
In today's world Christianity is in many locales fast becoming irrelevant to our
lifestyles and mindsets. Churches are shrinking. Christianity is often seen as
being folksy and quaint but not relevant. It's something from the past and has
little if any room in the future. Thus making the most of every opportunity to
share the good news of Christ is paramount. Let us therefore each ask God this
day to keep our minds focused on Him through the power of the Holy Spirit that
we might be prepared and ready to be ambassadors for Jesus anytime, anyplace and
in any circumstance that people worldwide may continue to be reconciled to God.
Prayer: Father God, how we praise you for our salvation Christ. How we are
thankful for the grace which has saved us. Alert our hearts and minds this day
to Spirit given opportunities to be ambassadors for Jesus. Grant us both grace
and courage that our words and deeds might be seasoned with godly wisdom, and
unconditional love and acceptance toward all those with whom we cross paths. In
Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, BC lynnephipps@hotmail.com