ORDAINED
Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise 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 (Eph. 5:14-17).
Iadore Thomas’ English muffins and for writing this particular devotion,
I carb loaded for research purposes. I ate two toasted English muffins drenched in butter for your benefit. I love the company’s clever and extremely
appropriate well-known branding phrase: “nooks and crannies.” It is the ideal description of the muffins’ airy interior surface.
Once they’re split open, distinct pockets appear allowing the butter (or jam) to sink in. These nooks and crannies vary in size; some are minuscule and some are large. But the purpose of each one is that the muffin gets drenched in goodness.
Likewise, our lives contain nooks and crannies–pockets of time, spaces and seasons ordained for each one of us. Paul warned his readers to be very careful and pay attention to the way they lived their lives. He urges us to wisely use the time given to us, to avoid foolish pursuits, and to live for Christ.
How do we do that? Throughout Scripture, we see that living a life of wisdom requires us to be mindful and diligent. It requires us to be intentional. At times, we can be guilty of giving more thought to our “to do” lists and holiday plans than we give to our faith. Working and resting are, of course, part of living the human life. But it’s imperative we get in line with Jesus’ mission and priorities.
People everywhere are living and dying without Christ. They’re sleepwalking through life, unconscious of their need for Him and unaware of eternal separation. Like Jesus’ disciples, we too can succumb to the temptation of drowsiness and fall into a trap of inactivity.
He urges us to wake up, to come out of our slumber and lead people into intimate relationship with Him. We can use every nook and cranny in our lives for this noble and Kingdom-advancing calling. Each day and circumstance provide us with an opportunity to shine the light of Christ for others.
Christ’s sacrifice was a costly one. 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
God put you where you are on purpose and for a purpose–this is your mission field. He has ordained you for such a time as this.
How awake are you to the mission God has ordained for you where you live, work, learn and play?