While There Is Opportunity

4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.
John 9:3-4 (NASB)

I was talking the other day with my mother and sister when this verse floated across my mind's eye.
We had mentioned my nephew's revelation that FINALLY (whew!) he and his better half Ashley were expecting. Then I mused as my mother went out somewhere with her grandchildren, shopping or to lunch, I'm not sure where. Somewhere in the middle of all the hubbub I thought about my own new granddaughter who's been with us for about six months. I pictured in my mind the cycle of life. Newborns like my granddaughter just ushered in, teens like my nieces and grandson just getting started, young adults like my sons and nephews fighting to survive and make their mark, people like me in the supposed "golden years" where everything is taking on a new perspective,and finally people like my mother who are literally standing on the edge and looking out at eternity. In light of all that, that verse in John kind of stared at me this week.

God used my mother to illustrate to me what He was speaking to my heart. Help me out a little bit here. You see my mother's days of doing the works of God are done. She's not going to be cooking any more pot luck dinners for the church. Her days of going to the nursing home or the hospital with her Sunday School class are over. It's not because she wouldn't like to, she just isn't physically able to do those things anymore. Her days for active ministry are at an end. That's what Jesus is saying here.Work while you still have time because night is coming when you won't be able to work. Whether the night comes by the ushering in of the end times or simply by good old Father Time; know this for certain, nighttime eventually envelopes ALL of us. Look at Galatians.

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Gal 6:9-10 (NASB)

..."while we have opportunity..." You see there's a time frame for all of us to do the "works of God." I remember a man of God once saying this, "Whatever you are going to do for God, do it now because you may not have another chance" Look at what Moses said:

10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Psalms 90:10 (NASB)

He then went on to say this.

12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalms 90:12 (NASB)

Teach us to number our days.

I f God has called you to do something then do it quickly while you have the time. Look at verse 10.
Seventy to eighty years is about all we are going to squeeze out of this life. Now if you are twenty or thirty something, that may seem like an eternity. BUT TRUST ME and millions more like me those "golden tears" oops..I meant years will be on you in a New York Second. (That's Don Henley for all you twenties and thirties lol)

Yes, I know serving God can be difficult at times. The devil is going to fight you tooth and nail. Does this sound familiar.."  I don't know why you keep on doing that. It's not doing anygood. No one is paying attention to you. You are just wasting your time, it doesn't make any difference." Yeah, I hear ya. The enemy will try and discourage you from doing what God has asked you to do. No matter how big or small your task you never know who is watching but someone ALWAYS is. Heard a story about a nurse being touched the other day by someone who didn't even know she was watching. I'll close with this admonition from the Apostle Paul to Timothy.

16  Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
1 Tim 4:16 (NASB)

No matter what God has called you and me to do, grand or not so grand, if we take it seriously and keep on keeping on.. look at what it says" for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."

That's pretty strong medicine. Amen?! Ensure salvation for yourself and for those within earshot.

Let us strive to do the work of God before the nighttime is upon us.

Only one life, will soon be past. Only those things done for Christ will last.

4 "Lord, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.
Psalms 39:4 (NASB)

God Bless