by Chris Steele

We are finally enjoying a few cooler nights as those cold fronts move further into the south. Many of our relatives and friends in the north are already feeling the chill of winter as it approaches. Sometimes there are certain things that need to be done before that cold weather sets in.

When Paul was in prison, near the end of his life, he wrote to his young friend and son in the faith. He asked Timothy to come and visit him. But, “...do thy diligence to come before winter” (! Tim. 4:21). Once winter set in it would be very dangerous and maybe impossible to sail on the troubled Mediterranean Sea.

In our spiritual travels there is a sense of urgency. Our days are numbered and we only have a short time here (James 4:14). So in everything we do, each and every day, we must remember that the end is approaching.

When opportunity knocks, do what we can. Similar ones may come, but that particular opportunity will never come our way again. Say what needs to be said in the way in which it should be said. We may have only one chance to help someone with the words that they need to hear. Don’t harbor an offense or a grudge. We may not have the time to correct them before it is too late. We need to work while it is day, because when the night comes no one can work (John 9:4).

We don’t know what the future holds. All we have is now. Let’s be steadfast in our work and fruitful in our lives that we may join Paul in saying, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).