Make The Most!

July 13, 2023

Make The Most!

As I was getting ready to leave the house for a short walk in the early morning this week, I noticed a fire truck pull up in front of a neighbor’s house. 

There were no sirens nor any sense of urgency as the emergency team made their way to the front door.  The team was there about 30 minutes before they left just as calmly as they arrived.  It made me wonder what was going on.

And then I thought; no matter what is going on it is best to make the most of the present moment.  In I Corinthians 7:21 the Apostle Paul writes; “…make use of your present condition now more than ever.”

Paul is speaking to people who were slaves.  It is not difficult to imagine each one wants their “present condition” to be different; they want to be free!  Paul reminds them that whether their present reality is slavery or free, all Christ-followers experience freedom through faith in Jesus.

Paul encourages those who are still enslaved to “…make use of the present condition…”  Sometimes we become so focused on our present condition or our difficult circumstances or our challenging situation that we allow the opportunities the Spirit is giving us to slip by unappreciated and/or underutilized.

The Word of God says to make the most of our present situation no matter what it is.  We may be enslaved or oppressed or abused by something or someone.  We may be discouraged or disappointed or desperate because of something or someone.  We may have lost our hope or our joy or our faith in Jesus because of something or someone.

No matter what our present condition, we are encouraged to make the most of it. 

God’s Word is your present condition or your emotional reaction to your present condition are not the most important thing.  The most important thing is the freedom we have through faith in Jesus.  In I Corinthians 7:23 Paul continues his words of encouragement; “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters.”

Jesus gave all of His love and all of His life for you when He died on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem.  Jesus bought your freedom now and your eternal life in heaven.  The good news is you do not have to wait until you go to heaven to experience the freedom that comes through faith in Christ.

Jesus gives you the strength and the courage you need to thrive in whatever defines your present condition.  Through faith in Jesus… 

Fear and anxiety do not have to enslave you. 

Depression and desperation do not have to enslave you.

Skepticism and cynicism do not have to enslave you.

Greed and manipulation do not have to enslave you.

Dread and distress do not have to enslave you.

Worry and confusion do not have to enslave you.

Anger and agitation do not have to enslave you.

Distraction and obsession do not have to enslave you.

Addiction and disappointment do not have to enslave you.

Envy and lust do not have to enslave you.

No matter what your present condition, you are encouraged to make the most of it. 

Jesus gives the strength and the courage you need to thrive in whatever defines your present condition.  We remember the story of Joshua. 

When Moses died, Joshua was honored that the Lord God wanted to elevate him to the level of leader over God’s people.  At the same time, Joshua felt inadequate, unworthy, and afraid to step into God’s future. 

Joshua was not making the most of his present situation.  The Lord God is quick to remind Joshua of who Joshua is and who the Lord God is.  The Lord God gives Joshua a promise for the present condition in which he finds himself.

In Joshua 1:9 we hear God’s promise for all who are allowing their present situation to enslave them.  The Lord God says; “I hereby command you:  Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We are free through faith in Jesus because Jesus gives us the strength and courage to make the most of our present situation.  We are no longer enslaved by anything or anyone because Jesus is with us wherever we are and wherever we go.  We are free in Christ!

When we make the most of our present condition through faith in Jesus, our heart fills with delight in the goodness of God.  Our hope is restored as our soul is filled with joy in Jesus.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug