opportunities

Are we using the opportunities put before us to add value to or de-value the people we encounter?  Are we pointing people with our opportunities toward something bigger and greater than us?

These verse have wrecked me so often: Ephesians 5:16 (nlt) --- Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. AND Colossians 4:5 (nlt) --- Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

I love the way God continues to confirm that The Community Fellowship is going in the right direction, but so often I get off track a bit.  What it takes to wake me and share me is not the things that I would pick.  But I so appreciate them.

Yesterday's big idea in our VISION '09 series was about committing to make a difference in the lives of the people we meet.  And the question that I am dealing with and asking is this: am I, are we adding value to people's lives?  Think about it.

Everything that comes our way either adds to our lives or takes away from it.  This includes the relationships we are involved in.  Are we givers or takers?  Are we delivering good stuff or more like a leech sucking the life out of situations and people we are around.

The phone rang Saturday as I was mowing the grass.  It was a friend from Sweden.  Hadn't heard from Lars in over a year.  We met at the Martinsville Speedway when I was honored to be part of his wedding several years ago.  He mentioned that he saw me back in March praying before the last big race at the speedway.  I've heard from all kinds of people who saw that prayer.  The question I wrestle with is what many of us wrestle with; is what I do more me or more Jesus?

I want life and all I do to point people to Jesus.  Every situation and every word.  But it's not always that way.  In lots of situations I guard myself to make sure that I am spiritually sharp, but there are other situations and people that I am around when I am not so guarded or ready or sharp.  What I heard today was something like this: am I wasting those opportunities?  Tough answer.  It was for me.

Galatians 6:10 (nlt) --- Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Proverbs 22:5 (nlt) --- Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.