Let’s work together as ‘evangelism teams’ for Lord

Let's work together

“Carpe diem” is a favorite phrase of “Dr. Laura,” the talk show host who offers life-skills advice to those daring enough to call or write to her concerning their problems.
This Latin phrase, meaning “seize the day,” is quite relevant to us on our Christian walks. Seizing today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that presents a blessing and a challenge for us, whether in our homes, on the job, in our relationships or in the church.
 I’m reminded of the opening worship lyrics, “This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” I shudder to think of the many times that I have dreaded the coming of morning or rejoiced at the closing of a particularly stressful day. Put into the context of this song and of too many scriptures to list here, I am shamed that I have not taken every opportunity to seize the day—with hopeful gusto!
Regardless of which day of the week you get around to reading this article, stop and ask yourself, “Have I taken the challenge to seize this day and make it a testimony to the blessings of God that are in and around me?”
In our worship services, in our ministries during the week, in our day-to-day contacts with nonbelievers and in our evangelistic encounters, are we looking to see the potential of each to glorify God by bringing people to Christ? Seize the day!
 Also, you might consider another application of this song. This is the day that the Lord has made. This also means that this day, regardless of how different it is from the “wonderful” days of years past, is a day made possible by God. If this is a day made possible by God, why do we waste so much time trying to make it like yesterday, last year or last decade? Today is a day filled with new challenges, which all too often require new solutions.
 In a recent meeting of the Evangelism Team at my local church (Wesley UMC, San Angelo), we listened as Andrew, an elementary school-aged youth, offered suggestions on how we could develop ideas for new programs, activities and ministries aimed toward evangelizing the word of God through our church. I watched as seven adults listened patiently to his suggestions. We must be willing to listen to and even be led by our youths. They are all-too-often today’s solutions to issues facing today’s church. As much as with any adult, God has placed them among us for a purpose. Let’s not be too quick to scoot them off to seclusion while we struggle to fit 1960s remedies to 2004 concerns.
 Reflecting on those days that didn’t seem to end soon enough for me, how many chances to receive a blessing or to be a blessing to others have I missed while I was “wishing” the day away? Let’s work together in and among our congregations, not as competitors or adversaries but as “evangelism teams” with a single-minded goal to touch every life we can with the love, hope and promise of God’s word.