Ready To Share

PREACH THE WORD; BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT, WITH GREAT PATIENCE AND INSTRUCTION.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)

Today’s post is a confession of sorts about an opportunity missed at the weekend. I am referring to a random meeting with a stranger on Saturday while walking to the local shop. As I walked down the woodland path behind our home, I heard footsteps coming up behind me. I stepped aside to let the younger lad pass on the narrow path. We exchanged a cordial smile and “braw day” as he passed. I continued at my own pace and eventually met the same lad coming out of the store as I approached, but this time he stopped to talk.

For some reason, he wanted to share all his woes with me. I got the full details of his holidays abroad and the money he lost when the travel agent went bust, and then the sad story of his mother’s sudden health problems leading to her death. I would like to say that I was prepared for this golden opportunity to share the Gospel…but sadly, I wasn’t. It wasn’t until we had parted company that the reality of the missed opportunity dawned on me; suddenly, all the things I could have said came flooding into my mind. On my walk home, I prayed over the meeting, saying sorry for the missed opportunity and asking that I have another one if it be God’s will someday.

Dear Reader, I share this personal story to encourage you today. We all have opportunities to share the Good News in our lives, but sometimes we miss the moment. The devil, our enemy, will try to beat us up over such missed opportunities; but that is not the will of our Father God. We can turn these moments into spiritual victories if they drive us closer to God through more prayer and reading His Word. Your walk with God in life is not a sprint; it is a marathon that takes time, with ups and downs – just keep your hand in His!