Right now, we are living in a moment when we all need a kind word or an act of random kindness. Whether you believe in Jesus as the Son of God or not, his message of inclusiveness, grace and mercy is something each one of us can resonate with. His call to a life of selfless service creates a relational atmosphere that we all want to be a part of.
So, as the Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 4 use wisdom as you interact with the world around you. Be wise in your daily interactions. Be observant with the people you come in contact with each day in order to bring Jesus to them.
I am called to be transformed in Christ. Because I’ve said “yes” to the risen Savior, my life is very different than it was before. I become different than the world around me. But many times I get so focused on the noise around me I neglect the need for my behavior and language to be truly transformed. It’s so easy for me to be consumed with the way others are living that I forget I must be transformed first before I can enter God’s story to help transform others.
So Paul says make the most of every day. Thomas Edison said, “Most people miss their opportunity because it usually wears overalls and looks like work.” If a relationship looks like I will have to put some sweat equity in it, I tend to walk away. I mean, usually we love the spotlight. Those big splash moments when the world can see all we are doing for those around us. But most of the time, serving Jesus happens in quiet moments.
We make a difference for Jesus when we help a neighbor when the power is out or give money to help by school lunches for lower income kids on spring break or inviting a single person over for dinner to let them know they haven’t been forgotten. It’s when we offer to buy groceries for the shut in on our street or calling someone who is working through cancer treatments to remind them they are not alone or inviting that newly divorced person to coffee just to let them know they are known and prayed for.
Every single moment is sacred and redeemable to God. It’s more than just Sunday morning. But we tend to think a 30-minute message will fix what we spend six days breaking.
If COVID taught us anything, it was that we needed to slow down. These past 12 months reminded us that we’ve been running from one appointment to the next and missing opportunities to share Jesus with others. Make every moment count.
Equally, let your conversations be full of grace. Today, we tend to keep our face in our smart phone using our social apps to talk to people. Paul calls us to actually talk to people even when it’s uncomfortable. We have lost the art of conversation and now simply create monologue to file our opinion in public space. We need to listen more and talk less. We need to offer grace to others and extend the benefit of the doubt. We need to be more forgiving and less offended.
See, Jesus called us to be different. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, he says that we are salt and light. What does salt do? It brings flavor to what your cooking. It tenderizes the meat. So we in our lives should bring flavor to the interactions we engage in every single day. We should be tenderhearted toward those with whom we encounter daily. Make the most of every opportunity. Blessings on your journey.