Stuck

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck?
That you’re not quite sure how or where to minister to others?
Disciple new believers?
Know what to say?
Or even know when those opportunities are right smack in front of your face and you end up missing it completely?

I know there are people that have a divine calling to ministry and can easily recognize opportunities, but what about the rest of us? Sometimes we miss those divine moments or opportunities that God puts in front of us and we miss those chances to follow the great commission of making disciples. Do not be discouraged! In Erwin McManus’s book, ‘Chasing Daylight’ he provides some insight into these moments or missed moments. He says, “If you’re stuck in a moment, turn around, stop looking backward, and dare to look forward. There is a life that awaits you, an opportunity to explore and even create a future. Time was not created with the power to hold you back. And if the future terrifies you, then just take it one moment at a time.” This should be used as encouragement to those of you, like me who have missed moments and opportunities.

Let me give you a personal example of a missed opportunity that may have happened to you before. For example, I didn’t take the time to offer to pray with a friend who I knew needed encouragement. I was busy cleaning up and taking care of other useless things that were occupying my time. I didn’t spare 5 minutes to encourage this person through prayer. I knew I should have taken the time to talk and pray with this friend. I even felt it in my conscience, but even still, I let the opportunity pass me by. How many times do we get caught up in our own lives and agendas that we miss out on opportunities to show God’s love through even simple things like 5 minutes of prayer with a friend? If we want to live alongside people, we must invest our time in them and their lives.

I think Erwin McManus is saying, so you missed a moment? We all have and will continue to miss moments because we aren’t perfect, but guess what? God already knows that, but just because we missed one moment or opportunity, doesn’t mean he will not stop providing opportunities in our daily lives. Pay attention to these moments; divine moments that God puts in our paths. Take down the blinders. “That’s the mystery of a moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given to you,” Erwin McManus, ‘Chasing Daylight.’ I encourage each of you to do life with each other and speak into other’s lives.

Invest in people, live alongside people, encourage people, show God’s love.