It's Time to Get Up.

         I can still hear my Mother's voice, “Danny, it's time to get up.” I knew that I had better rise up out of bed and begin getting ready for either the coming school day or of going to work. My “playground” years didn't last too long before I was soon working on a farm. I started when I was about twelve years old with that wagon load of corn after school but that soon gave way to work after school at 40 cents an hour and then to summer work from around 8 in the morning to dusk. As soon as the ground became ready we would begin the plowing of the fields which would involve plowing and disking the ground until it was ready for the planter to put the seeds in the ground. In the Spring, it was time to plant and in the later summer or fall, it was time to harvest the crops. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” 

          The writer of Ecclesiastes is referred to as “the Preacher.” In this chapter he goes on to make fourteen different comparisons. He includes about everything there is to do in life itself whether it is laughing or crying, planting or harvesting or going to war and striving for peace. Almost all of the major issues of life are encompassed in these first eight verses of this chapter. One of the comparisons made is that of speaking and of keeping silent. The last half of verse seven, reminds us that there is a time to keep silent and there is a time to speak. We are good at keeping silent especially in the area of witnessing to those around us. We sometimes get the two times mixed up and when we should be quiet, we are speaking and annoying someone more than helping. Then, there are those opportunities that the Spirit says to you, “You should say something now.” We quickly brush it off and miss the opportunity to share what God is doing in your life or what He has done in any particular situation. We brush it off with thoughts like, “Who am I to speak of such a wonderful thing as salvation? I will let someone else who is more eloquent with words to speak of God's working in their life and not of my simple experience.” We may think or even say, “You should speak to my pastor.” We might also suggest that they listen to a tape of John MacArthur on this area but more than likely they will not be inclined to do so. It is our opportunity that is before us each and every day. I probably will never forget the name of the man, 33 years old and a fellow worker. His name was Reed Burgess, and I thought of speaking to him about Christ but put it off until a “better” time. He died that very night when he brushed a CB antenna against a 7200 volt power line. He was dead before he hit the ground. There may have been a time to keep silent, but there was also a time to speak. Our paths in this life may never cross again and what needs to be said should be said less there be no further opportunity. We often pray for opportunities to share our faith but then keep silent when they are presented right before us. God will put people in your path today so say something about His marvelous work in your life. For the person to whom you are speaking, it will be a time to listen. You may never know the impact of your words or actions today in the lives of others who do not know of this wonderful salvation. Praise God that He puts people in our path and the thoughts in our minds. Speak them to those whom God places in your path today.