I was scrolling through my news feed on social media one day in July 2021 when I happened to read a post that had been written by an old college friend of mine. His post read,
“I’ll buy dinner for anyone who can give me an honest answer. WHAT DID JESUS ACTUALLY DO?”
I had given the Gospel to my friend in the past but with such an open-door invitation, I instantly prayed about what was best to share and picked up my laptop. In a private message to my friend, I let him know that I’d read his post and said that it was a brilliant and important question with an even more important answer.
I went on to share with him some of the things Jesus has done for us from a personal perspective as well as a Biblical one. From major things such as: He created us, loves us, died for us, rose again for us and offers us eternal life to personal things such as He saved me, completes me, fulfils me, guides me, comforts me and a million other things which I could mention!
I explained that I’ve spent years of my life writing about all the things Jesus has done and continues to do for us, before sending him a link to my poem called, “Look Up.” Although I have many poems that cover the topic, I felt this one might be the most suitable and direct answer to his question.
I assured him that I was always more than happy to talk about Jesus if he wanted to and that my answer came for free so he didn’t need to buy me dinner, as stated in his post! I just wanted him to know the truth and ended my message by quoting John 3:16-17. I hoped that should he choose not to listen to my poem, he would at least have read the best answer to his question, straight from God’s Word.
Later that day, I saw that my friend had read my message but he chose not to reply. I wasn’t upset about this as I hadn’t put any pressure on him to do so and was happy to leave it in God’s hands, praying that His Word would do it’s work in my friend’s heart.
What was upsetting however, was only a matter of weeks later, I received a message saying that my friend from college had died very suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 39. As I sat trying to process and come to terms with this awful news, I suddenly thought about our last “conversation.” I realised the last thing I had ever said to my friend of 21 years, were the words of John 3:16-17. They read,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
As my heart filled with sorrow over the death of my friend, I thanked God for the opportunity to have shared the Gospel with him so close to the end of his life. I know we can’t pray for the dead but I couldn’t bear the thought of my friend having entered eternity without Jesus and so was praying that perhaps somehow, in his last moments, he had called out to Jesus and was now in glory with Him. I’m sure there will be many surprises in Heaven and I hope my college friend is one of them.
What this whole experience really showed me however, is that none of us have any idea what time we have on this Earth. It highlighted to me the importance of being ready and willing as a Christian, to share the Gospel at any given moment. We really must redeem the time and be about our Father’s business as people’s souls depend upon it!
It also showed me that for the non-believer, it’s imperative that they ask important questions about eternity now and know where they stand with Jesus before it’s too late. For both the believer and the non-believer, it’s vital that we seize the day. It was these thoughts that inspired me to write my poem also called, “Seize The Day” and I pray it can be used to encourage people everywhere to talk about Jesus while we still have time.
Seize the day O’ Christian and share the Gospel News, “I’ll buy dinner for anyone who can give me an honest answer. WHAT DID JESUS ACTUALLY DO?”
I had given the Gospel to my friend in the past but with such an open-door invitation, I instantly prayed about what was best to share and picked up my laptop. In a private message to my friend, I let him know that I’d read his post and said that it was a brilliant and important question with an even more important answer.
I went on to share with him some of the things Jesus has done for us from a personal perspective as well as a Biblical one. From major things such as: He created us, loves us, died for us, rose again for us and offers us eternal life to personal things such as He saved me, completes me, fulfils me, guides me, comforts me and a million other things which I could mention!
I explained that I’ve spent years of my life writing about all the things Jesus has done and continues to do for us, before sending him a link to my poem called, “Look Up.” Although I have many poems that cover the topic, I felt this one might be the most suitable and direct answer to his question.
I assured him that I was always more than happy to talk about Jesus if he wanted to and that my answer came for free so he didn’t need to buy me dinner, as stated in his post! I just wanted him to know the truth and ended my message by quoting John 3:16-17. I hoped that should he choose not to listen to my poem, he would at least have read the best answer to his question, straight from God’s Word.
Later that day, I saw that my friend had read my message but he chose not to reply. I wasn’t upset about this as I hadn’t put any pressure on him to do so and was happy to leave it in God’s hands, praying that His Word would do it’s work in my friend’s heart.
What was upsetting however, was only a matter of weeks later, I received a message saying that my friend from college had died very suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 39. As I sat trying to process and come to terms with this awful news, I suddenly thought about our last “conversation.” I realised the last thing I had ever said to my friend of 21 years, were the words of John 3:16-17. They read,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
As my heart filled with sorrow over the death of my friend, I thanked God for the opportunity to have shared the Gospel with him so close to the end of his life. I know we can’t pray for the dead but I couldn’t bear the thought of my friend having entered eternity without Jesus and so was praying that perhaps somehow, in his last moments, he had called out to Jesus and was now in glory with Him. I’m sure there will be many surprises in Heaven and I hope my college friend is one of them.
What this whole experience really showed me however, is that none of us have any idea what time we have on this Earth. It highlighted to me the importance of being ready and willing as a Christian, to share the Gospel at any given moment. We really must redeem the time and be about our Father’s business as people’s souls depend upon it!
It also showed me that for the non-believer, it’s imperative that they ask important questions about eternity now and know where they stand with Jesus before it’s too late. For both the believer and the non-believer, it’s vital that we seize the day. It was these thoughts that inspired me to write my poem also called, “Seize The Day” and I pray it can be used to encourage people everywhere to talk about Jesus while we still have time.
Point the lost towards their King, their Saviour there to choose.
Seize this very moment and do not waste a day
For time is running out and we have vital things to say!
Let our ears be open to questions from the lost,
May we speak in love and truth, whatever be the cost.
Share with great conviction and cast aside all doubt
For no one knows the hour when the sands of time run out!
Seize the day O’ Kingdom Heir, heed His voice above.
Treat others as you’d treat yourself and always share in love.
Let the Spirit lead you, His guidance is the key
And when He calls for witnesses, shout “Here am I! Send me!”
Yes let our souls be ready and prepared to give a reason
For all the hope we have in Christ, both in and out of season.
Testify wholeheartedly, bring glory to the Son,
Speak life and light to all around before the end has come!
Seize the day O’ lost one, waste not another breath
For many are caught unawares and unprepared for death.
Trust not in youthful vigour and don’t rely on wealth,
So many find their name is called while in the peak of health!
Ask the deeper questions and query now your stance.
Find what God has done for you while still you have the chance!
Learn of Christ’s provision and how He suffered loss,
Disregard all prejudice and look now to the Cross!
Seize the day all peoples and think on things divine,
Question where you stand with God before you’re out of time!
Look to Christ’s salvation which none can take away.
Whatever be your standing, it’s time to seize the day!
Matthew 9:37
“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few.””
Colossians 4:5-6
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
Romans 10:14-15
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!””
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