Handing Out Hope
Do you know why we call our business “Extra Second”? Because we understand how quickly time passes, and how much we all wish we could have a little more of it, either to spend with the ones we love or accomplish something we have always wanted to do. We realize we can’t physically extend time, but we also know that we won’t make the most of the time we have by worrying about things that are beyond our control (Luke 12:25). What we do know is that we live in a world that is broken, and it will quickly break us too if we are not daily reorienting ourselves to God’s will and living for Him (Ephesians 5:15-17). That’s the only way we will be sure to fulfill our purpose here.
You might have seen that this past November we published a book addressing the loss of a pet, from a biblical perspective. I wrote the book out of my own heartache and search for answers, but I was also fully aware that countless others were facing this heartache too, or they would face it soon. I took a few months to pray, study, read, and deal with my own grief, but then I set out to write even while my heart was still so heavy. It was important that I took my future audience with me on my journey of sorrow and searching, because it would be their journey too. And if there is a “good” way to walk through grief, it’s with someone who understands.
I’m glad I didn’t hesitate to write what I knew I needed to write – for myself and so many others. It's far too easy to put off something that we know we should do, and then miss out on the blessings that God bestows through our obedience. The Lord knows I’ve done that so many times. Perhaps you have too. I want to remind myself, and you too, to not lose sight of why we are here. If you have been saved from sin and are now in Christ, you carry within you a hope that the world desperately needs. And you need to be ready to share that hope, whether you are on the highest mountain or the lowest valley. Because it doesn’t matter where you are, hope doesn’t change. If anything, it gets much, much stronger in our struggles.
In what is believed to be the very last letter he wrote before his execution, the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, saying, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
It won’t always feel like the “right” time to do what the Lord has asked us to do. But we are to do it anyway. We are to always be ready to share the truth that sets us all free from the difficulties of this life by pointing our minds and hearts to the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Here’s what the apostle Peter wrote: “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).
This doesn’t mean that you have to have a three-point sermon in hand at all times. Rather, having a thankful and humble heart for what the Lord has done for you will allow you to see the needs of individuals all around you and give you the desire to see their burden lifted, too. A sure way to do that is to point them to Christ, in whatever way the situation might call for.
I have been so blessed to hear stories of people who purchased copies of my book to have on hand to give to someone they might meet who was facing the heartache of losing a pet. And to hear of the perfect moments the Lord gave them to do just that. Sometimes, we don’t always know the right words to say. Sometimes, all we need to do is to hand someone a book like this and let them know you are thinking of them and praying. What an honor to know that I, by being ready to share the hope that was in me – even “out of season” – have been able to bless others, and even enable others to be a blessing.
What is the Lord calling you to do? Prepare your heart daily to hear and obey at all times.