SEIZE THE MOMENT!

SEIZE THE MOMENT!

"Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going" - Ecclesiastes 9:10 (ISV)

One night a group of nomads were preparing to retire for the evening when suddenly they were surrounded by a great light. They knew they were in the presence of a celestial being. With great anticipation, they awaited a heavenly message of great importance that they knew must be especially for them. Finally, the voice spoke, “Gather as many pebbles as you can. Put them in your saddle bags. Travel a day’s journey and tomorrow night you will either be glad or sad for the rest of your life”

After having departed, the nomads shared their disappointment and anger with each other. They had expected the revelation of a great universal truth that would enable them to create huge wealth in their generation. But instead they were given a menial task that made no sense to them at all. However, the memory of the brilliance of their visitor caused each one to pick up a few pebbles and deposit them in their saddle bags while voicing their displeasure. They traveled a day’s journey and that night while making camp, they reached into their saddle bags and discovered every pebble they had gathered had become a diamond. They were glad they had diamonds. They were sad they had not gathered more pebbles. 

The story above reinforces the statement made by the wisest king of Isreal - king Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:10 -"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,..". King Solomon was practically saying, "Seize the moment! make the most of every day, live life to the fullest. Give your very best and make the most of your opportunities now! (Colossians 4:5b). Time is a loan, spend it wisely"

".make the most of every opportunity...." - Colossians 4:5

Unfortunately, many of us are like the nomads in the above story. We often desire diamond in life but unwilling to gather every little pebbles on the way. While searching for the diamond of life, we neglect the pebbles deposited on our path. If the reward is not enticing, we turn down the offer without considering if there are some pebbles that heaven wants us to pick on the road. 

Friends, can you imagine how many precious pebbles you might have ignored in life? Yes, where you are working now may not be the best in town, but that place is where God has assigned you to pick pebbles that will turn to diamonds in years to come. The menial jobs that you are avoiding now may be the pebbles that God will turn to diamond in your saddle bag in future. Please ignore the distractions around and go gather all the little pebbles that comes your way. Put in your very best on that job even when the pay is like small pebble today. Enrol for another course now.  Learn another craft or trade now. Write that exam now. Take up that job or start the new business now. Write another book now. Compose another song now. And most importantly, witness Christ to everyone around you everyday. Please note that every minute we use to share our faith in Christ is  priceless and has a great eternal value. And if you dare to be steadfast and diligent, those little pebbles in your saddle bag will soon become diamonds and you will forever be glad tomorrow that you acted wisely today. A word is enough for the wise! 

One powerful hymn that summarises Colossians 4:5 and Ecclesiastes 9:10 is titled "We Must Redeem The Time". Please meditate on the lyrics of this hymn and trust God to help you redeem your time on earth with eternity in view.  

WE MUST REDEEM THE TIME! By John Darwall (1731 - 1789)

We must redeem the time!

Let it not slip away,

For we will stand before the Lord

That coming day.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

The Lord is drawing nigh.

And just around the bend

We’ll hear the midnight cry.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

Each opportunity

Will come and pass

Ne’er to return eternally.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

Buy back the time we’ve lost.

Forsaking all to pay the price

Is worth the cost.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

We must redeem the time!

We have not time to spare;

Each moment He hath measured

For us to prepare.

Redeem the time!

Seize every opportunity;

Redeem the time!

My prayer for you and my humble self is that we shall live every day with the consciousness of eternity and the brevity of life on earth. May we receive grace to labour earnestly for Christ in gathering many pebbles that will turn to diamonds when we reach the golden shore.  And may God stir us up to diligently buy back all the time we might have lost on this race of destiny before the trumpet sounds. 

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, I want to invite you to our 68th Annual Convention with the theme "WONDERFUL". Date: Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th August, 2020. Venue: Watch live on DoveTv, YouTube and other streaming channels. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye. 

#wonderful

#RCCGVIRTUALCONVENTION2020

Good day and God bless you.  Amen

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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