Life Comes at You Fast

Jesus made spreading the gospel an utmost priority. Let’s make it ours.

You might have seen the TV commercials that portray how fast life can seem to go. Picture this: A couple buckles their baby into the car seat. Then from their front seats they turn around to talk to him. Wham! They see a full-grown young man buckled into the car seat. A voice says, “Life comes at you fast.”

Before you know it something happens, quickly changes or maybe is even gone. To me, 2004 seemingly came and went in the blink of an eye. Job said, “Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away” (Job 9:25, NKJV).

If indeed “life comes at you fast” then every day should be lived to the max, taking in all we possibly can with God’s help.

Recently, when I was flying through and changing planes at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (as I do frequently), I breathed an often-prayed prayer, “Lord, have we got any appointments here today?” Minutes later I saw a Christian music artist I’ve known for 30-plus years. While we were speaking for a few minutes and catching up on all the time of life and ministry that had passed, I realized that the last three decades had come and gone before I knew it.

I believe this encounter was what some might call “a divine appointment.” So often we rush through the routines of life (as flying is to me) and run the risk of missing a God-ordered opportunity. The faster life seems to go, the more important it becomes to prioritize according to the will of God.

And we have to be careful to not grow complacent. Now that another emotional presidential election is over, there is a temptation to let down our guard and coast through the ensuing season. We are seduced by thinking that the tough time has passed.

We begin to feel a sense of relief that it is time to get back to business as usual. Don’t even go there. Perish the thought!

Paul said: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:11-12).

A sense of priority and urgency should never escape the minds and hearts of believers. Time is too precious. Once time is gone it can never be recaptured.

So let’s now consider the people we encounter every day. Do they even know we are Christians? Can we be identified by the smiles on our faces and not by the bumper stickers on our cars or the T-shirts or fish symbols that are on our lapels or imprinted on our checks?

Is there something intangibly different about us (not necessarily spooky or weird) such as a genuine caring interest in others? Jesus said, “‘By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another'” (John 13:35).

Do we treat people in service-oriented occupations as we would want to be treated, with dignity and respect? Does our demeanor convey an “I’m better than you” superspiritual attitude? (Hopefully not.)

How about the bank teller, grocery store cashier, waiter or hairstylist, those we see on a regular basis? These “natural relationships” often create easy opportunities to sow seeds of the gospel. But you have to be looking out for them or they will slip right past you.

Are we willing to actually speak with others about the ability of Jesus Christ to change a life? Life is too precious and often moves way too fast. Let us not allow opportunities to touch others’ lives pass us by. After all, we don’t know what tomorrow holds for them or us.

This year is still young, giving us plenty of time to prioritize according to God’s Word. Let’s believe that the steps of good men and women can be ordered of the Lord, leading us to make a difference in someone else’s life–today!

Jesus made spreading the gospel an utmost priority. Let’s make it ours.

Life comes at you fast. Don’t miss the moment.