Do you ever walk away from a situation wishing you had done or said something differently? This Friday is my last Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting at Lovinggood Middle School. I’ve been the sponsor there for four years. My youngest is going to high school in the fall, so I will be passing the baton to another to lead.
It has been our tradition that I open our year with a message casting the vision for the school year and I close the year out with a summer challenge. This time will be a little different, because I won’t be coming back in August. I have one final chance to impact these students with what I say, one last opportunity to point them to Christ.
As I sat at my desk yesterday to write the message, I couldn’t help but reflect on something a minister said in a sermon when I was in sixth grade. “Your life may be the only Gospel someone reads. Make it a good read.” In many cases we don’t have the luxury of spending a lot of time with someone. We are given one chance, a brief moment in time, and then we never see them again. I call them one shot deals. You have one shot to make your mark or leave an impression with someone. It may be your first encounter with them or it may be your last, but either way, what you say or do matters.
Matthew 5:16 is a challenge to us. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” In Ephesians 6:19-20 Paul says “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Our words and our deeds should function like arrows pointing others to the Lord, for His glory and His honor alone.
What if someone approached you today and said “Why are you in such a good mood?” Would you respond in such a way as to glorify God? What if a non believer were to follow your every move today? Would they be following Jesus? Take some time to ask the Lord to work in you, through you and in spite of you if necessary to proclaim His message to the world. You may have years or seconds with those you encounter. Make your time count!