“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t live thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, NLT)
We have often heard the saying, “Today is the best day of your life.” Perhaps in the timing of God, today will be the greatest day in our lives, for each and every day is full of opportunities. Yet so often, we miss the unfoldings which are right in front of us.
“No servant of the Lord should be content with present attainment; for to be satisfied with what is, it to be a loser of opportunities.”
(Watchman Nee)
Every day will present us with opportunities or a call to action – to make a phone call, bring a meal, send a card, open a door for a stranger, smile at a passerby, let someone go in front of us, speak an encouraging word, or make a visit.
Will we follow the nudge, allowing God to move us to follow His directive?
To make the most of every opportunity simply means we make the best possible use of all circumstances. We see the opportunity before us and we do it, not letting the time go to waste.
We seize the chance, getting hold of it and seeing the open door as the means to which our lives can be a display of the kindness of the Lord. We may, or may not ever know the result but we will know we obeyed God and can trust Him to work in and through our actions.
In Ephesians, Paul gives three directives:
- Live wisely.
- Don’t miss the opportunities before you.
- Understand what God would have you to do – today.
“To obey may be the greatest single act of service in my life.”
(Watchman Nee)
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday .
Joanne – beautifully written. ” Seeing the opportunity before us”. I want to be that person this year every day. Slowly getting there the more I love Him and serve Him.
Me too. Debbie, may we both get there a little bit more this coming year!
Joanne, you are always thoughtful and intentional in seeking more of God. You encourage me to live like that too.
Debbie, I think our online Bible Studies accomplish ways of crossing paths so that we all encourage one another to seek Him more. I am most grateful for you!
Those 3 points from Paul are encouraging!!
Thank you for these straightforward points, Joanne. I know that I, at least, can overcomplicate obedience. This is helpful and humbling!
Bethany, it is true. We do overcomplicate obedience and the Lord seeks to make it doable for us.
I am so newly grateful for my Godly online friends. The ones who cause me to go deep. Iron sharpens iron. You, Michele M, Tammy M, Karrilee, I thank God for all of you. xo
Susan like you, I find myself very grateful for those God has brought into my life. You have enriched my life, friend!
Beautifully said. Obedience is so important. Thank you for linking up with us at Woman to Woman. God bless.
Perfect, Joanne. Following His nudge to show grace, to share an encouraging word, to reach out. That’s what this week has looked like. It’s been good to be obedient instead of self-absorbed …
Linda, you have made such a wise observation. It truly is so much better to be obedient instead of self-absorbed. May we think less of ourselves and more on those He places in our paths.