Several years ago, my husband and I were attending a basketball game. As I was sitting there watching the game, I struck up a conversation with a lady that I had never met before. She was quite friendly and seemed to have been a nice person.
At some point in the conversation, I asked her where she did go to church, and she said “we don’t go to church”. I kept talking to her as if she had not just told me that she did not go to church.
Because I am a Christian, that reply should have sent bells and whistles off in my head. For some reason I did not feel comfortable speaking up when I heard her response. I don’t know if it was because we were at a game, that I didn’t speak up, or if I was just at a loss for words when I heard her response. But what I do know for sure is that I missed an opportunity. On the way home I kept thinking, why didn’t I speak up. Why didn’t I invite her to come to church with us for Sunday worship?
The Holy Spirit really convicted me over this one. The sad thing is that I never saw her again. What if I was the one assigned to share the Good News with her. If so, I missed my chance.
As Christians we have opportunities to share God and to do good all throughout our day. Whether it be to invite someone to church or take meals to the sick, or to make a donation for a worthy cause, there are always opportunities to serve.
I encourage you to stay alert, and when you see or hear a way to serve or help someone, don’t miss your opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to that person. Let’s make a commitment to seize the opportunities that are presented to us, to share the Good News or to serve in a way that brings God honor and glory!
Philippians 2:3-8
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
2 Corinthians 5:20
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Psalm 96:3
3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Galatians 6:9
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
