“Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.” (Colossians 4:5-6 NASB)
Sunday morning I made coffee about 4:30 a.m. Part of my routine is to set out a couple of matching cups and set individual packets of Splenda on top of them. On one of the packets, I saw the following embossed message and it engaged my God-conscious, thought process. It said, “Every day is an opportunity.” Five words, just few words, but they were overflowing with inspiration; inspiration to lift a person like me before the coffee had finished brewing and the first sip taken. A brief sentence, stated in a concise, short, and meaningful way when seen through our spiritual prism. It serves as a reminder that today will present us with an opportunity in many ways. I can’t compete with the Splenda Message and say what I need to say in five words, but I will limit my description of “the opportunity” you will have today in three splendid pieces of advice, all taken from the same text as above, but from The Amplified Bible.
Today, you have “the opportunity” to:
- “Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders [non-believers] (Colossians 4:5a).”
- ”Make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious] (Colossians 4:5b).”
- “Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you] (Colossians 4:6).”
Unquestionably, you will be tested and undeniable you will be tempted today, but overcome your test and overlook all temptation as you interact and intermingle with others, saved and unsaved. Experience the Lord’s word being profitable today, spurred on by the Splenda Message and the splendid advice we have for us today! Be blessed!
“So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 The Living Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King