Today’s Ephesians scripture talks about being wise and unwise. Unwise people look to drink for a hit. Wise people are filled with the Spirit. It’s a “natural high”!
One part of this reading that grabbed me was near the beginning, in verse 16: “make use of every opportunity”.
A busy life can be a happy life, if it’s lived in the Spirit.
I was reminded of this when I thought about two hard workers that I know.
The first one did a lot of great work, and no doubt helped a lot of people. I worked alongside this person for quite a while. I was struck by her determination. But there was also something sad about this person. After a while, she would talk about how weary she was. She asked me why she felt that she had to do this work. And yes, it was strange. She was driven. She felt she had to. Other people were probably doing things they enjoyed, but she felt she had to do this work. It was a duty. She wasn’t happy. I told her that she could stop. She shouldn’t do the work if she wasn’t happy about it.
I met another volunteer worker recently. She is very active finding ways to get food to people who need it. She stays safe. Things are left on doorsteps. She doesn’t meet anyone personally. She is busy. She works very hard. But she doesn’t complain. Instead, she says, “What a blessing!” She sees an opportunity to serve. Other people complain about the restrictions, but she celebrates the opportunities.
I’m reminded of Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people...”
This lady saw the opportunity. She is full of the positive joy of the Spirit, and has not become weary in doing good.
Ephesians 6:10 goes on to say we should do good to everyone, but “especially to those who belong to the family of believers”. This might sound selfish. Does it mean we should limit our outreach? No. But we who have access to the Spirit have the chance to do a lot of work in this world. If one of our number forgets where our strength comes from, we stand to lose a great worker for God! Look at the vaccine rollout. The elderly and very vulnerable got COVID vaccines early, but so did the doctors and health workers! Do good to your fellow Christians. Speak to them with “songs, hymns and songs from the Spirit” (Eph 5:19). Support them as you support others. Then the energy of the Spirit will multiply God’s work for good in this world.
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