I was driving into work today and a billboard caught my eye. It was titled the Secular Life and posed this question: “Not Religious? You are Not Alone?” If they were trying to capture my attention, then mission accomplished. Apparently it’s not only caught my attention, but sparked a little tension in the community! That prompted me to do a little research via the internet. Based on their website and word for word, “Secular Life is a network of friends, families, and communities that are non-religious. We embrace a life free of superstition and full of inquiry. Our goal is to provide awareness, education, resources, social events, and community to anyone interested in a secular life. Regardless of what you call yourself, if you are looking for a religious-free zone that is focused on building a quality, secular life and community then you are already among friends at Secular Life.”

Everyone is entitled to a sense of unity and belonging; whether it is religious based, non-religious based, centered on sports, recreation, or hobbies. However, it has prompted several questions in my mind. How do they plan to build a quality life religious free? It may boil down to the fact that “we” have a difference in opinion on what constitutes a “quality life”. John 15:5 says, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Fruits constitutes to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness [or meekness, or humility], and self-control. Producing fruit is my ideal quality life.

Please know that it is not my intention to attack or criticize this group. I am simply stating my own opinion based on God’s truths. I hope that this introduction will merge into my next train of thought and be conveyed in the direction that my mind has been traveling.

It is very apparent in today’s times that the world is growing dark. Tragedies upon tragedies keep occurring, there is less and less time between natural disasters, and more and more people walk in hate than in love. Matthew 24:6 “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.” Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nations, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.” More than ever, people need a sense of security in all this chaos!

All these events have my brain in continuous and analytical thoughts about the “lost”. When I say “lost”, I mean those individuals who do not know Christ and have not chosen Him to be their savior. I may blog about my relationship with God and I hope my actions display my relationship, but I really don’t know how effective I am in reaching out to the lost. I am a pretty private person (with the exception of this blog) and the idea of going door to door with my Bible in hand, is not my cup of tea. For instance just today, I was sitting in Wendy’s with my Dad and watched a man nonchalantly walk around and gently lay a Church of Christ information card on everyone’s table. Again…not how I do things, but probably God’s way of giving that gentle nudge that I should! I wonder just how many people I encounter that are searching for something bigger, better and I have the answer (from what I have been taught and believe) tucked away all to myself.

For instance, Steve and I were having dinner at a restaurant Easter evening. There was an older man sitting a couple of tables down from us and he was eating alone. Immediately, I was saddened at the fact that he was all alone. For all I know, he preferred it that way. I created my own scenario and assumed that he was a widow (based on a wedding band on the right hand), did not have any family and he was alone. Farfetched, but could be right on the money? Steve said in a joking manner, “I guess we should be good Christians and invite him to the table.” In my mind, that was the right answer, but I could not find the courage to execute it. To this day, I still worry about how others perceive me. So I left there feeling sad for the man and another opportunity wasted.

Colossians 4:5 says, “Live wisely among those who are not Christians and make the most of every opportunity.” It seems that I am not making the most of my “opportunities.” People are actively seeking a better of quality of life, but finding alternative ways of doing so. Whether it is applying principles from the “Secret”, Eckhart Tolle’s “New Earth”, or joining “Meet Up” groups such as Secular Life, people are hungry for something better. I have no plans of launching any kind of crusade, but I hope that when God presents an opportunity that I act on it. All I can do is share the gospel and pray that they would grow to understand His truth.

Let’s choose TODAY to seize every opportunity that comes our way.
Love in Christ,
Nichole