"Seize the Day!"
Seize the Day!
“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).
Every day opportunity comes knocking—in blessed circumstances and in hard-pressed times as well—God always makes sure we have the occasion to be a light for Him, and that’s what He expects His followers to do: to shine in the darkness. We are called to “seize the day,” a phrase coined by a Roman poet a couple millennia ago. Carpe diem in Latin means “grab the day”—utilize the moment before you because once it’s passed, it’s gone. It’s been said that there’s nothing more tragic than a missed opportunity!
And how tragic, indeed, it would be when the Lord has got the attention of the entire world and His people become self-absorbed, fearful, and miss the opportunity to share the Good News! Part of what it means to “be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” is that we don’t fear what the world fears—we respond to adversity with calm, with peace, and with confident hope. At every turn I am asked, “How you doing? Scary times, aren’t they? What’s going on with all this craziness?!” Well Church? We have the Answer!
Now is the time to “answer everyone” with the Good News of the saving grace of God. When I answer saying that I have “perfect peace” they always want a little bit more. Let us tell them about the God who so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! Let’s tell them about the green pastures, the quiet waters and about the Good Shepherd who leads us along right paths all the way to heaven.
People are more open to the Gospel than ever! We are delivering groceries and running errands for older folks who are sheltering in place. We are praying with people who feel afraid. We are giving away Bibles. There is a golden opportunity before you and me—let’s not seize up in fear, but seize the day for the Lord Jesus Christ—let’s be the heroes in the story!
For further reflection: Matthew 5:13-16; Isaiah 49:5-6; 1 Peter 3:15