Unlimited Opportunities

The female co-worker that sits in the cubicle next to you at work (Leslie) just lost her father in a car accident last week. Leslie knows you have a relationship with God. At your afternoon break, you sense she wants to talk about spiritual matters in her life. What do you do?

The guy on your bowling team (Phil) has given many strong hints that he needs to talk to you about going back to church (because he wants to become reacquainted with the Heavenly Father). Should you take your friendship to a deeper level by having some food and a cup of coffee at a nearby Wendy’s for an intimate discussion on the topic?[i]

When they are available, we must all grab hold of opportunities to share with others about our belief in God. Colossians 4:2-5 (MSG) provides this truth:

“Pray diligently…that God will open doors for telling the [story] of Christ…Every time I open my mouth [I want to be] able to make Christ as plain as day to them. Use your heads as you work and live among [those around you]…Make the most of every opportunity.”

You may be bold in many areas of your life, but have you ever asked God for witnessing opportunities in your daily involvement with those around you? Pray that the Almighty will provide you clarity and courage to walk through the doors you need you need to in spreading the gospel. It’s impossible to regain a lost opportunity.

The chorus of this song shows the answer that Christians have to give out to a hurting world:

There are so many things that money can’t buy,

But it won’t buy peace of mind

No matter how hard you try.

Broken people need brand new lives.[ii]

If Christians wish to have an influence among unbelievers, they must live Christ-like (on-line and their daily life) to gain access to speak to them about their closest Friend.

“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the [scripture] go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear. Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”[iii]

When sharing your “God story” with others make the message interesting (and full of the truth they need to hear). The following scripture verse asks a lot of questions about your witness. (Can you answer any of them?)

“But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?”[iv]

Read the passage below to find out what is important Heavenly Father. “God can and will use you if you are willing.”[v] How can you make this kind of service a reality in your life?

“…Love the Lord your God with all of your [passion, prayer,] and intelligence. This is the most important…on any list….There is a second:…Love others as well as you love yourself…Everything in God’s law…hangs from [these rules].[vi]

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[i] Inspired by the sermon, “Carpe Diem: Seize the Opportunity,” Installment Three (final), Sunday, November 20, 2016,  Pastor Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Church Gahanna, Gahanna, OH

[ii] “Broken Up people”  Words and Music by John Daniels (performed by Evie Tornquist Karlsson)

[iii] James 1:22-24   All scripture is taken from The Message (unless otherwise noted).

[iv] Romans 10:14

[v]All for One: The Towns of Ohio Complete Trilogy, part two, chapter twenty-two, “Cotton Candy” (discussion point) by Robert Kinker

[vi] Matthew 22:37-40