Time

Recently, I walked into a motor spares shop to make a purchase. As I walked around the shop with all the accessories displayed on the shelves, I realised that many years ago that same shop had been a church that I attended.

The memories flooded into my mind, precious memories. I stood next to one shelf, standing in the very same spot that, over twenty years ago, Jesus had stood in front of me and wanted a decision from me. Would I choose to serve Him, or go back to my ungodly lifestyle? Looking back, thankfully I chose to follow Him, and what a wonderful decision it had been, one which guides me today!

I walked to a corner of the shop where they displayed car steering wheel covers and looked out of the small window. That corner had once been a small room, but the walls have been taken away, however the window remained. I had looked out of that same window so long ago, as I taught Sunday school classes to children. Those precious Sunday school classes had been a small step towards my growth as a Christian.

A thought struck me. What if I hadn’t nervously stepped out to do something I’d never done before? Those children are now adults and probably married with children of their own. Would someone else have taught them the wonderful truths of the Bible and the love God has for them if I hadn’t stepped forward? If I hadn’t trusted God, and stepped out in faith, maybe some little child wouldn’t have heard the good news. Maybe their lives were changed for the better. I didn’t know then that there was more potential inside me. I had to step out, even if I didn’t think I could do it.

Looking back over the years that have passed by, I thought about the words “What if?” What if I hadn’t listened to the small voice of the Holy Spirit saying, “You can do it”? Would I change any decisions I made in the past? In the above scripture, we recognise that God’s reminding us that every day we can make a difference to someone’s life. The opportunities are there. We just need to step out.

Why not choose today to take the opportunity offered to you? Make a difference in this world. At the supermarket, offer a smile to a struggling mother, or give a helping hand to an elderly person wrestling with a load of parcels. Perhaps you need to think about opportunities lost because you could have done something in your church but chose not to. Maybe you have within yourself amazing talents you haven’t recognized. Today might be the start of a new beginning.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’ve had many opportunities in my life, but I didn’t take them. I realise today that there are people out there who need encouragement and guidance from me. Help me Father to have the courage to step out and be involved - to do something that will help someone else. Help me to choose to draw closer to You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.