Seize the Moment

Examples of such moments are liberally scattered throughout the scripture. Such events as Abraham and the ram caught in the thicket (Genesis 22:13), Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:2), the coin in the fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:27), the fish on the other side of the boat (John 21:6), etc.

A divine moment is that undefined period of time when God chooses to open a window of opportunity of obedience to Him for personal opportunity, to serve others, and/or to have a Kingdom impact. There is a difference, however, in having the window of opportunity to open up, on the one hand, and to step through it, on the other. In the quoted scripture, Paul commanded that we “redeem the time.” In other words, that we “buy up every opportunity” or “to seize the moment.”

Divine moments are those special, significant moments that don’t come every day. They come unexpectedly and unannounced. One cannot “seize the moment” offered by those opportunities, if he is not perpetually prepared. It is for that reason that we have the admonitions of Paul in the quoted scripture.

In simple terms, to be prepared we must:

WAKE UP. Obviously, he isn’t speaking of physical slumber but rather that of the senses. He is warning against dullness of the spirit or an apathetic attitude. This is typified by the experience of Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration:

“But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him” (Luke 9:32).

We have a tendency to lapse into a kind of spiritual stupor in our spiritual walk, sometimes feeling that it is the Lord’s responsibility to wake us up and to bring alertness as a divine gift. Sometimes that happens, but most of the time, spiritual vitality comes by personal initiative. To be able to “seize our moment” we must be spiritually alert.

GET UP. It is very easy to be gripped by a spiritual lassitude or laziness wherein we lack the vitality to get up and to get busy. God moves most in those who are actively pursuing Him through personal initiative. Divine moments are usually accompanied by human initiative. Note what Jeremiah says:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive” (Jeremiah 29:12-14).

It is important that we put energy into our pursuit of godly things, not with the energy of the flesh but rather with the active spiritual energy of one seeking God.

WALK RIGHT. There is great value in doing right things. Most of us know the right things to do. Life is made up of steps and is lived out one step at a time. God told Joshua:

"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Joshua 1:3). God also told him:

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7).

To take the right steps in life is to be focused on Jesus and to refuse to be distracted from Him. There are many enticements out there that would distract us. Our walk must be one of faithfulness, persistence, consistency, and purpose.

WISE UP. Accompanying every divine moment is that flash of divine wisdom and inspiration that God gives us. This light is like that given to the people of Israel when they were crossing the wilderness. As long as they followed it, they would walk in the light:

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night” (Exodus 13:21). John admonished us to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7).

To walk in the light is to walk in His leadership and wisdom.

We live in a significant day. It is a day that will create spiritual heroes – people who rise above the ordinary and the mundane to be particularly and especially obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be a cost involved that these people will not avoid. With such models of the grace and glory of God, the rest of us will be challenged, edified, and encouraged. This day is both a divine moment and has many divine moments. Be challenged today, watch for, and seize your divine moment. It is coming.

Be ready for it.

Jeff

• Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors • Jubilee International • P. O. Box 572 • Noblesville, IN 46061