From these verses we understand that now is not the time for us to be at ease; now is the time to work. Today, by God’s mercy, it is still the day of grace, and His desire is that none perish but that all come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). We know that the Lord is coming soon, and when He does it will be too late for many, and He wants us to be active in service in communion with Him. Elisha asked Gehazi, “is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?” (2 Ki. 5:26). Similarly, Jeremiah spoke God’s word to Baruch during a time of conflict, sin, and confusion: “And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh” (Jer. 45:5).

“Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be” (2 Pet. 3:11). We know that “the night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:12), so we need to be redeeming the time. May our motto be, “knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11)—not only our motto, but also our behavior.

May we be bold, may we take advantage of the opportunities that the Lord gives us throughout the day, may we be walking with the Lord so as to recognize these opportunities when they do present themselves to us, and may we be faithful. Our faithfulness in this mission here will be for God’s honor, as well as for blessings for others and ourselves for now and eternity.