Opportunities

           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. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-20) 

          Paul sums up what he’s written neatly, and the table below rearranges them into things we shouldn’t do and things we should. 

Negatives	Positives
Live not as unwise	Be very careful how you live
Don’t be foolish	Live as wise
Don’t get drunk on wine	Make the most of every opportunity
	Understand what the Lord’s will is
	Be filled with the Spirit
	Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit
	Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord
	Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

           We often focus on the things we’re not supposed to do as Christians, but clearly the things with which we are supposed to replace the negatives are more than enough take up the time not doing the negatives frees up.

          In the past year or two, it seems to me that I’ve been focusing on making the most of every opportunity, but as I look at the rest of the list, I’m not so sure. I have tried to procrastinate about procrastinating, and there’s something of making the most of every opportunity there. But, while I can work plastic canvas while walking the dog (and myself) and have my camera available to take pictures – while I can multitask, am I really making the best use of my time by doing that? Do I even consider what the best use of my time might be?

          And what of social activities? During the winter, one of the things I do is attend a quilting group. What I can’t understand is why some of the people who come to the group spend so much time talking. Good use of my time in a quilting group equal quilting, right? But what if the best use of my time is getting to know the other women?

          And what of the rest of the list? What does it say about what the best use of our opportunities is? One item is seeking to understand the will of God, which involves Bible study, praying, counseling, and waiting. Another is being filled with the Spirit, which involves obedience and/or submissiveness at least. He also adds speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and singing and making music in our hearts to the Lord involves learning psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

          But more key to making the best of every opportunity is seeing things as opportunities and asking our self what the best is. As I look at the other things listed, it almost looks as if making the best of an opportunity should be fun or enjoyable and involve others whenever possible.