Every Man Must Arise and Seize the Moments

Ephesians 5:14-17For it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (NIV)

Here in Ephesians 5:14-17, we are being encouraged to awaken, arise, and take the favorable opportunities God is giving us. We should no longer miss the opportunities God gives us. We all have limited time here. Our days are numbered. This world’s days are numbered. Considering that time itself is limited, certainly God’s favorable opportunities are even more limited.

God-given opportunities are offered to us at a specific time for a specific purpose. We can either take these opportunities and seize them, or we can ignore them while they quickly pass away. The choice is ours. How do we recognize and then redeem these God-given moments?

Hence you need to identify your purpose in life and what moments you are in.Nothing in life can take the place of knowing your purpose. If you don't try to discover your purpose, you're likely to spend your life doing the wrong things. I believe that God created every man for a purpose. Every man has his own specific vocation or mission in life. Every man must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus everyone's task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it. Each of us has a purpose for which we were created. Our responsibility - and our joy - is to identify it and then do something about it.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you identify your purpose:

For what am I searching? All of us have a strong desire set in our hearts, something that speaks to our deepest thoughts and feelings, something that sets our souls on fire.

Why was I created? Think about the unique mix of abilities you have, the resources available to you, your own personal history, and the opportunities around you.

Do I believe in my potential? No one can consistently act in a manner inconsistent with the way he sees himself.

When do I start? The answer to that question is "NOW."

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We must then learn to seize every minute of the day, and make the most of it for the Lord while living in the present moment. When you seize divine moments . . . you become a human catalyst creating a divine impact. Sometimes you can slip into an attitude of thinking that life would be better if you could just arrive at your destination, whatever that might be.

It is easy for men to get in a hurry and forget to cherish the present moment. They forget to realize that there is joy in the journey, and they can become so time-oriented that they forget to be God-oriented and God-centered. Most people today seem very busy and always in a hurry.

Every man must learn to seize every minute and every second of the day, and make the most of it for the Lord while living in the present moment. Do not forget that you have to go through the hard times before you can come out victorious on the top of the mountain. Believers love to worship God when things are going their way, but they must never forget to give Him their time when life is difficult.

Many men are able to recognize an opportunity after it's already passed them by. Seeing opportunities coming, that's a different matter. Opportunities are seldom labeled. That's why you have to learn what they look like-and how to seize them.

There have been many defining moments in the lives of many men that changed their lives forever. These defining moments often set the course for the balance of their lives. The secret of a great life is often a man's ability to discern the defining moments given to him, understanding them, and learning to walk in the path that leads him to his ultimate destination and seizing those moments. We cannot just seat and expect things to work for themselves. We have to arise and do something ourselves.

It is time we awaken from our sleep and arise to God’s favorable opportunities. We must seize the opportunities God is giving us.

When we are faithful to our word, we are seizing the moment and redeeming the time. Each time we make the choice to be faithful to our word, we testify of God’s faithfulness.What you do for God is never more important than how you live your personal life, your family, or your marriage.

FinallyIt is my prayer that we arise from our current situations that we find ourselves in and do something. Let’s stop the blame game. I believe we have the foresight, abilities, potential and all the might to do something for ourselves, families, communities and the world at large. One has to go an extra mile and see the great results that you can get.

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