We all have those once in a lifetime chances, even if we don’t recognize them at the time. We have blinders on most of the time as we go throughout our day and we miss many things. We miss signs from loved ones, subtle parts of conversations and even things as we drive through town. But the things we miss the most are the opportunities to pray, praise and worship. We may not think of these times with the Lord as once in a lifetime but we don’t know what the future holds for any of us. We have been ransomed at the ultimate price and it on us to make that sacrifice have value in our short lives
Hebrews 2:15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Life isn’t pointless and the interactions we have with others have real value; this can be another thing we miss everyday. The opportunities are all around us, we just need to take our focus off of ourselves and surrender completely to the Lord’s influence. We can not live lives that are segregated with parts for our flesh and the other parts that we sacrifice to live as the Lord has called. We know those things that we don’t want to sacrifice to live faithfully. It can be as same (but not really small) as gossiping and judging others. We don’t tend to think of those things as sin many times, but make no mistake they are; and can destroy relationships and opportunities to witness.
Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
In living lives without spiritual disciple we fail to serve our Savior and are refusing to live righteously as scripture directs. I am sure that we all can think of times we did not live up to being called children of God. It may have been at a party or in a moment of weakness where we backslide into our carnal selves or when we simply didn’t stand up against sin right before our own eyes. There is not one of us who hasn’t sin in these ways, but it isn’t that we fell it is that we don’t stay down. Christ’s sacrifice allows us to rise again endlessly and with repentance start fresh and move beyond our failures.
1 Peter 2:15 For we have spent enough of our past [a]lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
Remind yourself that you are loved and valued by the creator of everything. Let that sink in for a moment, God values you; values your victories as well as your stumbles. The once in a lifetime chances are placed in our path so that we have endless opportunity to rise and stand upright on our firm foundation. Each morning give thanks to our Savior for His unending love and His amazing grace. Rest in the knowledge that through the Lord’s grace we are capable of great things.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Lord loves you unconditionally, share that love with your brothers and sisters just as unconditionally; that is truly our first commandment and the ultimate exercise in our faith.