Colossians 4:5 “Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.”
“Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.”
H. Jackson Brown
How many people regret missed opportunities in life. A chance encounter that was disregarded, investment advice that wasn’t heeded, or a past love that was forsaken.
The opportunities missed can either be a dismal portrayal of short sighted losses or they can be learning opportunities that caused you to grow wiser.
The Value of Opportunity
When considering whether an opportunity is worthwhile, one must consider a few important points.
1. What is my risk if I pursue it or ignore it?
Whether the decision I have to make is relational, monetary, or spiritual, the way we go about making decisions can lead to all forms of anxiety. The concern of looking back with regret leaves many hesitant when the opportunities present themselves.
When it comes to making decisions in life, the spiritual significance depends on whether we walk obediently to God’s leading or follow our own way.
Romans 6:16 “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
With Jesus as King, it is His direction and leading that guides His people through the maze of decisions in life. The Lord has a perspective that we cannot attain and since all that He does is good, the reward for following Him clearly outweighs the risk.
Since most people have a perspective that is very limited, the risk of following human devised plans is very high.
2. When an opportunity comes, does it honor the Lord or is it selfish in nature?
The life of a believer is one that continues progressively toward emulating Christ each day. The image of Christ presented by His people is only limited by the measure of growth that has occurred through the Spirit’s leading. The process of being set apart is a process of becoming less like the world. If believers forget their purpose, they might miss the opportunities presented by the Lord. When someone makes a commitment to Christ, they commit to following Him all their days, taking on His countenance, and walking in His love.
If all I do is look out for my own own interests rather than what I’ve been called to do, my selfishness becomes a limiting factor for what bears out in my life.
Romans 6:13 “Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.”
3. When an opportunity is given by God, do I have the faith to follow?
The blessings of God are many. A key indicator of God’s blessing is the fact that nothing can hinder His work. Doors open when there seems to be no solution, the Lord supplies the needs regardless of the sacrifice, and others are blessed when faithful people follow God’s lead.
When God gives an opportunity to honor Him in service, the believer must not wait. Delay obedience for even a short period of time and the opportunity might be missed.
Godly Focus
When opportunity presents itself, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. A few well placed questions helps you know where someone is coming from and how to minister to them. Just because someone is nice doesn’t make them a christian. Just because someone is wrestling with sin, doesn’t mean they are an unbeliever.
Emphasis on the external presentation of someone can lead to neglecting the position of their heart.
Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
Share a spiritual insight with someone who has rejected Christ and they might look at you like your from another planet. Unbelievers have very little spiritual understanding of the things of Christ, they may know of Him, but they do not know Him.
When sharing victories or spiritual truths a believer might be encouraged in their faith while an unbeliever only mocks. By giving glory to God believers sharpen one another in their walk with Christ.
The Work
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.“
All true believers take their marching orders from the King of kings. Life is much shorter than we could ever imagine and the opportunities to impact someone for the Kingdom of God doesn’t last indefinitely, sometimes they come in just a flash, never to return.
Redeeming the time is to take every opportunity afforded and honor the Lord in the midst of it. The reward realized in experiencing God’s pleasure is also a reward that will be realized one day when we see those impacted for His glory.
Live faithfully, submit to God’s work and He will use you, if you are willing.
U.T. 