Ephesians
5: 16making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil.

At face value to hear this passage
might sound pretty bleak. Every day is evil? Every day is the devil’s? Tell me
that does not sound depressing! However the Greek word ponerosis
derived from the base of a word that means to toil, and by implication Anguish,
or pain. The word has a meaning of hurtful, or malice. When you think of it the
days are hurtful. Each day is full of pitfalls, and snares, we know it, we each
walk through the mine field every day. It is why the scripture urges us to make
the most of every opportunity. We should get everything we can out of every opportunity
that comes our way. Now some might say well I do make the most of every opportunity!….
To that I would have to ask….really? A lot of times without us even realizing
it, we fall short. Think about it, do you squeeze all of the toothpaste out of
the tube before you throw it away? Do you take all of your work and get it all
knocked out, or do you set some off to the side and “wait till later” How about
that report? Did you go that extra step, or was good enough, good enough? Did
you get everything out of that car ride home with your kid form whatever event
you were driving home from? Did you make the most of the time that you had with
your wife, or Husband this morning before you left for work? Did you talk to
that person you have been meaning to about Christ? Did you invite them to your
church….did you offer them a ride? You see, often we throw out the tube of the
day, without squeezing the last bit out of the bottom…..and that is what makes
the day hurtful, that is truly an evil day. We have not made the most of the opportunity
we have been given.

Oh
I hear ya already, Brian, I don’t have the time, I am too tired, there is too
much going on….I need help! And there ya have it! You have hit the nail on the
head, you need help. I know what you are saying about time, and energy, and
just life in general getting in the way…..but there is help, and that help will
help you to realize that your day is not that crowded, it is not that hectic,
it is not that crazy, and it is not as evil as you might think. I am convinced
the devil is operating on a new program. The days of being tempted by big
things is moving to the side. The devil has found a new way to get a foothold
in your life. He fills your day with “stuff” Oh yeah stuff…..”what are you
doing today?” “I have a lot of stuff going on.”
We become convinced that we do not have time to get that last bit of life
out of the day, worse yet, we fall in to the mindset of, well, I will do it
tomorrow. Next thing you know, we are missing more and more because we are
convinced that we always have tomorrow.
I want you to think about this. What if Jesus had lived His life without
making the most out of every opportunity? Would He of still healed? What if He
had started putting off until tomorrow, what could have been done today. Would
He have taught as much as He did? Worse yet, what if He just did not have time
to get around to dying for us? Do you think that Christ went to the cross
thinking “dang, I needed to tell Peter one more thing”, or “ I wanted to spend
more time with John”, or “I wish I would have healed that woman” …..no all
Christ had to do on the day He died, was to show up, and let His Father’s plan
come to fruition. Grant it, it was a big day, and a tall order, but He was able
to make the most of the opportunity His Father gave Him, because, He had not
squandered the previous opportunities. I hate to be Debbie downer here, but
what if you do not make it home today? Still think you have made the most of
all the opportunities that have been set in front of you? I know I have not. I have
lived for tomorrow for so long, that learning to live for today is a struggle
each and every day. I need help…..in much the same way Christ needed help. He
did you know? Christ often went to His Father for help. There were time He felt
overwhelmed, I am sure (when was the last time a few thousand people followed
you around) ; Times He felt scared, times He felt alone. Each and every time we
find the Jesus went to the same place, His Father. We are no different, and not
only do we have God, but we have Christ Himself there to help guide us, and
comfort us. Who better to help us, than someone
who has been through it all!? When we go to the Lord, He steps in and cuts away
the “stuff”. We are able to see the diversion for what it really is, and are
able to focus on the real true opportunities in our life. We are able to cut
through the fog, and our vision becomes clear. We have to start depending on
the Lord more, and on ourselves less. We are right, we can’t do it alone, we
need help. The days are indeed evil. That is why before you get on your feet
for the day, it is best to start on your knees.

God
Bless,

Brian
Thetford

The Ridge Fellowship

Psalm22

The Workweek With Christ