The media shouts out to us that the world today is an arena where there is strife, and trouble... where much help and comfort is needed, and wanted!!

Perhaps if you, like me, have often been tempted to be a "silent student"  of Christ Jesus'teachings and practice, to hide our light under a bushel,  the words of the Bible contained in Paul's Letter to Timothy, (II Timothy 4) are a wake up call... "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."  We are not here to hide what we understand of God, Love, Life!!! 

A message I read on the internet recently  prodded me to see that  "the season has started, the  game is underway", we are on the field and it's time to "get our game on", and to recognize the importance of always being ready to "Preach the word; be instant in season,".. as written in the text quoted above. And doing this, not as a self righteous, boasting hypocrite but as a humble sharer of the good news, tenderly and gently uplifting and comforting.

The message below was from Neale Donald Walsch who has a daily inspirational message titled "I Believe God Wants You to Know".    As I remembered our challenge to become  "fishers of men" the words of the message were particularly appropriate:  

 " ... you should always have your hook baited. In the pool you least think,    there will be a fish. “    "Ovid, the Roman poet, said that, and he was right. You  never know when and where your next miracle will appear. So be ready. Be open. Be cheerful, receptive, even expectant."

"And do not limit the shape and size in which your miracle can come. Sometimes the smallest keys turn the biggest locks."   "So be on the lookout today. Be ready."

I loved that quote. We never know when a friend, a stranger, or even someone with whom we have differed or are at odds for some reason, may need a tender word, Christian encouragement, a shoulder to lean on or someone to wipe away the tears.  

This is the day the Lord has made... let's participate in it fully!!!!    God has given us the light of Love, let it shine!!!