Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

These verses remind us that in certain moments during our lifetimes, God gives us unique opportunities within time to do something significant. These moments are “kairos” moments—a one time, passing opportunity—that is most strategic and pivotal. Apostle Paul is reminding the saints at Ephesus to: “Take advantage of the time that you have while you have it. You will never have this moment again.”

Alex Bilodeau, a 22-year-old from Montreal, won the men's moguls gold medal, which was the first ever for Canada when it was hosting the Olympics. It was a day of sweet brotherhood at the mountain. Bilodeau paid an emotional tribute to his disabled other brother Frederic, who was on hand for the historic moment.

"My brother has been an inspiration for me since I was young," Bilodeau said. "Growing up with a brother that is handicapped [cerebral palsy], you learn so much from those people. Everybody could complain, but you see a smile [from him]."

It brought great joy to my heart to witness Alex Bilodeau make the most of his Olympic opportunity. With the hopes and dreams of a handicapped big brother and his country riding on him, Bilodeau skied and jumped to Olympic gold.

As I watched Bilodeau celebrate with the citizens of Canada at the medal ceremony, I began to think about how Jesus Christ seized his “kairos” moment. Bilodeau was lifted up on a platform to receive a gold medal, but Jesus Christ was lifted up on a cross for the sins of all humanity. His last words while hanging on the cross where: “It is finished.” Jesus Christ seized his moment, made the most of his opportunity, and brought glory to God by completing the work He was sent to do.

How important was it for Jesus to make the most of his opportunity? It was the most significant act in history because without Christ’s crucifixion, there would be no forgiveness for our sins.

As we remember Alex Bilodeau’s gold medal performance and Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, let’s find the inspiration we need to make the most of the opportunities God has given us here on earth.

Lord—please help us understand your will, and respond to it with obedience.

Confession Brings Freedom

On Friday February 19th, 2010, Tiger Woods gave a formal apology for his infidelity on every major news station in America. In addition to his apology, Tiger made a commitment to his wife, children, mother, friends, fans, fellow golfers, and sponsors to change his behavior. If he is truly going to make a change, he made a good first step by confessing his sins, and recognizing his mistakes.

Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

As we reflect on and rejoice in the gospel of Christ, two things happen. Our pride and defensiveness are stripped away, and we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness, honestly examine ourselves, and find freedom from guilt and sin by admitting our wrongs. At the same time, the gospel shows us how important reconciliation is to God, which inspires us to do everything we can to repair any harm we have caused to others and to be reconciled to those we have offended. The restoration process involves four activities: repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change.

To find the peace of God, we need to deal honestly with our transgressions. As Paul told Timothy, “If a man cleanses himself from (sin), he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). This cleansing process is inspired by Jesus’ promise that he has forgiven our sins and wants to purify us from the idols and habits that cause inappropriate behavior (1 John 1:9). He calls us to cooperate in this process of repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change. The more faithfully we draw on his grace and pursue these steps, the more we will possess God's peace.

Let's learn from Tiger's press conference and not wait until our sins have destroyed our lives and hurt other people. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The quicker we admit this fact and repent for our sins, the quicker we can find freedom from sinful behavior. Remember, confession brings freedom!

Do you find it hard to admit when you are wrong? How can practicing repentance and confession help you live in the freedom Christ purchased for your life?

Hooray: The Virgin Got Sent Home

Two weeks ago on “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love”, five women remained with only four roses to hand out. It was inevitable; one of the ladies was going home brokenhearted. Unfortunately and fortunately it was Cory. It was unfortunate because she got her heart broken. It was fortunate because she preserved her virginity for what will hopefully be the right man for her.

I am assuming that Cory is still a virgin because of her religious beliefs. I commend her form making this commitment, and not compromising her convictions during the show. When asked by Jake, “Would you live with someone during engagement?” Cory answered without hesitation, “No, I believe that is reserved for marriage.” She is absolutely right.

Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” God only approves of sex between a husband and a wife in a marriage covenant.

In fact, it is wrong to even stir up the emotions of another without a wholehearted commitment to that person. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 says, “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

Intimacy with another person without commitment is fraud!

I am not a big fan of the show format of the Bachelor. In fact, I hate it. I think it is the worst possible way to find your spouse. No man trying to find true love should be so intimate and physical with multiple women at the same time. Show after show this format leads to confusion and heartbreak.

It also facilitates an environment where the couple builds faulty foundations in their relationship. Instead of building on friendship, trust, purity and honor, they build on deceit, mistrust, impurity and dishonor. And, they do it in the name of love. Love is patient and love never takes advantage of another person’s emotions to try to figure out if they are the right one.

Wipe your tears dry Cory and be thankful you got sent home. God has a man waiting for you who will love you and honor you for making the right choice to wait for him. Don’t ever think for a minute that you should have to compromise your convictions to find love. Any man worth having you by his side will commit to you before he tells you he loves you, and he will wait to kiss you on your wedding day.

Trust me Cory; it will be worth the wait!

I Missed the Avatar Blues (Part 3)

I feel compelled to communicate that every longing of humanity mentioned in my last blog are satisfied as we live in relationship with Jesus Christ. I realized that the reason I did not leave Avatar feeling blue is because Jesus has changed my life. Jesus has met my longing:

1. To worship: Christ-followers don’t worship trees or an impersonal force of nature, we get to worship the one true living God. In John 4:23 Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

2. To be free: Jesus sets people free from their sins and selfish desires. He gives us a freedom that empowers us to serve other people. We find true joy in this freedom as we use our liberty to help others. God has given us a beautiful planet to steward well and enjoy as we live life. Galatians 5:1 says, “1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

3. For a meaningful purpose: Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus has commissioned us to participate in the great adventure of making disciples of all nations. Nothing is more significant than being a powerful witness for Christ.

4. For love: Jesus defined for us the true meaning and expression of love. Jesus’ sacrificial death proves to us that no one can love us like him. In John 15:12-13 Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

5. To belong: When Jesus saves us from sin and death, he joins us to a fellowship of other Christ-followers called the body of Christ or the church. This group of people becomes our new spiritual family. Our longing to belong is fulfilled as we connect with other Christ-followers and serve God together. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

For all those experiencing the “Avatar Blues” there is a remedy that can only be found by receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. James Cameron’s movie has awakened in audiences around the world the longings we all possess. It is true that there is a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart that only Christ can fill. Pandora, 3-D glasses, the latest visual effects and compelling characters only give us a few hours of stimuli and escape that produce in us a vain hope of living in utopia. When reality sets in, we are left with feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, is the only one who can fill our hearts with a peace, purpose, and joy for all of eternity.

Oh, by the way, heaven will be much more amazing than Pandora.