“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
Ephesians 5:16
“If 2020 were…” memes are circulating social media. If 2020 were a slide we are shown a giant cheese grater. If 2020 were a pinata we see the image of a large wasp nest. My last one, if 2020 were a drink it would be the colonoscopy prep mixture.
Obviously these memes convey, with a touch of dark humor, how difficult this year has become because of COVID 19. The shared feeling maybe that 2020 can’t get over quick enough.
That is one way to look at it. Or…
Think about the fact that we are now halfway through 2020. Have you thought about what the remaining months can be? What can you and I do between July to December?
Steve May in his Monday Memo, titled, “You’re Almost Half Way There” puts forth a challenge for all to consider.
“Think instead about the next six months, thirty minutes a day. Think about the potential that exists. What kind of headway could you make in one area of your life?
- You could become conversationally proficient in a second language.
- You could learn to play the guitar; in six months you can reach the level of “decent.”
- You could walk 500+ kilometers.
- You could get in great physical shape.
- You could do a masters-level study of your favorite subject, such as church history.
- You could dig in-depth into one of the gospels or even memorize one of Paul’s letters until you own it.
(Let me add, you could use the 30 minutes a day to do intentional encouragement by texting or writing handwritten notes, doing a podcast, practicing a spiritual discipline, reading great works, learning new songs, serving your family and neighbors with small acts of kindness, The list just keeps unfolding.)
May goes on to ask, “What if, every day for the next 180 days, you devoted a half-hour to work on your craft? Can you imagine how the difference would be played out in the results you see?”
This is way more than self-improvement. The Christian worldview is that God is working out his grand story of salvation, hope, and new creation in Christ. And as we live by faith we share in God’s life and God’s story. We pray that God’s will will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.
How will God’s will get done in this world that desperately needs love, hope, and mercy? Well for Christians it is making the most of opportunities. That includes taking advantage of 30 minutes a day to grow, serve, and love.
Is it possible to imagine what God wants you to accomplish in His grand story? Steve May observes, “If you’re willing to take the road less traveled, you can use these moments each day to move forward in the calling God has placed on your life.”
Despite what the rest of 2020 feels like let me leave you with this question: “What will you decide to do with the time that is given to you?”
Pastor Dave is a regular contributor to the Times & Transcript’s “Religion Today” column