We’re trying to make the most of these long summer days—especially with how long the daylight lasts into the evening. So, the other night I set the hose sprayer on “jet” and went out to water the back lawn. A robin took notice of my efforts and suddenly was hurrying back and forth, just at the edge of the water spray. This wise little bird with the reddish-orange front feathers was hunting for the bugs and worms disturbed by my imitation rain. She was ready to make the most of her opportunity.
In Ephesians 5:16, the Bible says to “make the best use of the time,” that is, “take advantage of every opportunity.” Time for what? Opportunities for what? Well, in these verses, we read that there are evil days we face. It was true then, and it’s still true now. But the Apostle had been talking about how believers’ lives should be different because God is our heavenly Father: “be imitators of God, as beloved children” (5:1).
How do we imitate God, exactly? The next verse explains, “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” This seems to be the background for making the most of every opportunity: to show what God’s love in Christ looks like as we give ourselves for others. We’re not to be selfish and taking part of the evil around us, but instead take opportunities to show the difference God is making in us by ministering to others.
We know that summer won’t last forever. In fact, technically speaking, the days are already starting to shorten. So it is with our lives. Are we ready to make the most of every day for God’s glory and others’ good? The robins aren’t wasting any opportunities, and neither should we.
