"Making the most of every opportunity..."

As many of you probably know, I was sick last week. I managed to miss only one day of work, but getting up in the morning is still hard. (My energy level has yet to be up to par.) One of the side effects of being sick is that my voice sounded funny and I had a hard time singing. I barely got through Sunday services last weekend without my voice completely cracking and then at choir rehearsal Thursday, I kept losing it periodically. In between, it was frustrating not being able to sing to the radio as much as I would like. The people in other cars who look at me funny are probably thankful for that. By yesterday, I was doing pretty well, though.

Anyway, I knew eventually my voice would be back to normal. But one night I started thinking about what I would do if it didn't. It wasn't that I looked at the worst-case scenario, but people do lose their voices for long periods of time. I've seen it in people I know. I've been singing in church since I was three years old - before I can even remember. What would I do if I ever got to the point that I couldn't do it anymore?

It's a thought that scares me. But at the same time, I think it's good for us to look at our abilities and opportunities in this way. I think we would all appreciate them more. As I began to think about that possibility, my mind turned to others. What if I could no longer type or write? What if I couldn't express myself with words anymore?

Better yet, what if never again got the opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus? What if that person in my life that I need to show kindness to was suddenly not there and I didn't get another chance? In my past, I've come across people that needed Christ, but because I wasn't where I needed to be with Him, I couldn't be a witness to them. I've literally found myself in tears over people that I once knew who I may never see again and who I may not see in Heaven because I didn't take the opportunity to show them how to get there.

It's a sobering thought, huh? Our singles ministry theme verse is Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This is important for us all to remember as we live out our days here. We don't know how much time we have left, or how many chances we will have to do something for God. I know I've passed on a lot of opportunities that I may never get again.

So we should tell the people in our lives that we love them. We should use the talents and abilities God has given us while we have them. We should share the love of Jesus every time He gives us the chance. Making the most of every opportunity.