Make the most of every opportunity

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Ephesians 5:15-16

This not just a "power" verse for those golden moments. Every opportunity means, every opportunity; good, bad and horrible. There is something to be made from even the worst situations.

Shadows and light

Lately, there are more shadows than light in my days. As a matter of fact sometimes, it just feels like I move from shadow to shadow. That is why I am especially thankful for a job that requires me to spend time with middle/high school and college kids. Yesterday they were the light in my day. Once you get beyond the brooding and the angst, and the kids allow themselves to be real, they are funny, energetic, awkward, insightful, caring, and helpful. It is a gift that they allow me into their lives.

Somethings I am mulling over

From Crossfit Faith.com:

Commit to a problem-solving 2011. Instead of being conquered by worry and regret, you will rely upon your faith to solve any problem that comes your way. Spend time in prayer to focus upon your commitment.

“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:5-8)

From Talk to me Johnnie:

Cultivate mental and physical toughness by hammering ourselves on the anvil of hard training and venturing the road less traveled. By traversing difficult terrain we find ourselves in that break to create mindset. Instead of making a promise and wishing to better ourselves, turn in the opposite direction.

And most prominently, in the front of my mind, is this from an email from my friend Caitlin who just returned from the Iris Ministries Harvest School in Mozambique with Heidi and Rolland Baker:

But honestly, the biggest miracle I saw during school was LOVE. Heidi Baker, the founder of the school, always told us students, “Love looks like something.” She challenged us to stop for at least one person everyday and show him or her love. She told us not to focus on changing the world but instead to do one simple act of love at a time.

Important

^15-17Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity

. 1 John 2:15-17 The Message

The word of God truly does cut like a double-edge sword. I read this passage today and was cut to the quick. So much of what of I do, is motivated by a desire to appear important.
As much as it stings, I really needed this message this morning. Lately, I have been feeling like God is just not there, so to have Him speak to me through His word, even words of rebuke, is comforting.

Victory??

From The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews:

“I will persist without exception. I will continue despite exhaustion. I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in. I am not “most people.” I am stronger than most people. Average people accept exhaustion as a matter of course. I do not. Average people compare themselves with other people. That is why they are average. I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory.”

Usually a quote like this pumps me up but these are not usual times. If the quote is true, I must be on the verge of winning some kind of Olympic medal.

The space of God

I never realized it before but God will use our circumstances, good and bad; our relationships, edifying and toxic, to create space in us that he wants to fill. Each of the conditions listed in the beatitudes creates a space in us, that if we allow Him to, God will gladly fill. Too often, way too often, I try to fill those spaces on my own.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:3-12

123 Meme

Ed, over at cross the road, tagged me. So here goes:

Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
Find Page 123.
Find the first 5 sentences.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.

No cheating, Ed said, so from the book closest to me at this moment, The Ryrie Study bible, NASV, red letter:

All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.

If there are still five of you reading this blog consider yourselves tagged.