“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9, 10)
Christ is risen! He has risen indeed!
Timing is sometimes everything in sharing your faith with others. The word “opportunity” in Galatians 6:10 is a special Greek word–kairos. It refers to the “right time” for something to happen or take place. It means we wait for the “right moment” under God to speak, to share, to witness our faith at work in lives around us. Living in wisdom means waiting for God’s right timing.
I have played tennis for some time now. I love to play with anyone, and especially doubles, and most especially doubles with people I do not know. I love playing with non-Christians since on the courts and in the heat of points won and lost, many things are often said or done or hinted at. One of my doubles partners was a non-Christian animist who was a counselor at a local center. He, of course, knew I was a Christian pastor, but one who loves the challenge of tennis — and, I must admit, hated to lose. We played every Tuesday morning for years. I prayed for ways to show him my faith. For wisdom in how to approach and speak into his heart and life. What I found out was he very much dis-respected Christians he had played with for either their giving up on shots or calling balls in that were out. The “right time” came for me when a very close friend of his died and I was asked to perform his funeral. This man came, heard the full gospel message, and thus began a witnessing journey with him that ended with praying with him on the courts one day.
Wisdom in timing means we must exercise patience and perseverance in waiting for God to act in another’s heart and life. Our time is most often not God’s time in working in and with people. We grow weary and impatient, as these verses point out. The admonition is not to do so, but rather “do good to everyone” waiting for the right time, God’s time, to share our faith and for people to respond positively and well.
O God, deliver me this Easter morning from impatience in my faith walk. Help me see Your timing and move accordingly. Help me seize the right moments in my relationship and sharing my faith with others. May my time be Your time. For Your glory.
About the author:
A Christ-follower and mentor of leaders and churches whose life plan is to make an eternal difference in lives for Jesus Christ. Carl currently serves as the Executive Pastor of Cross Roads Brethren in Christ Church (Mount Joy, PA), President of Carl Shank Consulting, and as a Board Member of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce. B. S. in Mathematics from Dickinson College. M. Div. and Th. M. from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia Campus). Carl's insights have been a great encouragement to Thomas B. Grosh IV, Associate Director, Emerging Scholars Network. To God be the glory!