Here’s some good advice: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” It was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, but it could just as easily have been written to the people of Rock Valley too. Every moment presents us with opportunities we can use to bless others or to hurt them in some way. And before you know it, the moment is over. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
I have not read Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novel The Brothers Karamazov, but I understand there’s a part where a priest warns: “Every day and every hour, every minute, walk around yourself and watch yourself, and see that your image is a seemly one. You pass by a little child, you pass by spiteful, with ugly words, with angry heart; you may not have noticed the child, but he has seen you, and your image, unseemly and ignoble, may remain in his defenseless heart. You don’t know it, but you may have sown an evil seed in him and it may grow, all because you were not careful before the child.”
You never know the impact you’ll have on another person’s life so it’s good advice to act wisely around everyone you meet. It’s good to think before you speak and to pray for words that are consistently kind, that consistently build others up.
Granted, that is often easier said than done. There are days when other people – including the people closest to us – drive us crazy and our attitude and words towards them is less than charitable. We may say or do something hurtful, and the moment is over before we realize what we’ve done. So we go back and ask for forgiveness and seek reconciliation. Sometimes things are resolved quickly; other times hurt feelings and broken relationships linger for a long time.
Notice that Paul refers specifically to outsiders – people outside our homes, workplaces, churches. Maybe this is the clerk at the store, the stranger heading in the same direction as you, the kid walking home from school, or even the person who just stole your parking spot. These are people with whom we might only get one shot at acting wise around. You never know who will show up in your path or when – to them we can be the hands, feet, and words of Jesus too. And sometimes the opportunity is gone in a moment.
While we may not have a second chance to make a first impression, I’m thankful Jesus gives second chances. He is ready to forgive my foolishness and equip me with his Holy Spirit so I do better next time to make the most of the opportunity and pray for good seeds to be planted. Praying for that sort of thing is also good advice.
This appeared a few weeks ago in The Rock Valley Bee.
4th Point 