Apr 7 - "The Power of a Single Moment"

"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" ---1 Corinthians 11:17-34 ******************************

Jesus sitting with His friends having a simple meal. Can you imagine yourself being at this quiet moment, this instant in time?

Broken down to its basic components, this event does not seem to be as dramatic as other moments during Christ's life on earth. Whether it is His baptism, with God's voice booming from heaven, Jesus walking on water to His disciples, or the miracle of water transformed to wine during the wedding at Cana, there are many moments where Jesus' holiness and power shouts to be recognized more than this one. At face value, it carries no more significance than a conversation we may have with family at the dinner table on any given evening. His request is simple; "I may not be with you much longer, so, when you are together sharing a meal, remember me."

Does this moment carry its weight for me because I have heard the story of the Last Supper easily more than 1000 times over the course of my life during communion on Sundays or at special holidays and celebrations? Or, is there something more? I am sure Jesus recognized the power of the moment in general as well as the power of this particular moment. He knew that His words would be repeated by His friends and later by those with whom they would share the Good News. The story of these short series of words would be handed down from generation to generation and retold again and again until He returned to earth as a triumphant king.

Life is an almost infinite series of single moments. In the multi-tasking rush of our days, weeks, months...lives...it is easy to miss the opportunity to have a positive impact each one of these smidgens of time presents. Equally as important, we often fail to recognize that these moments can sometimes be a force for negativity which ripples through time, not seeing their effects at that particular second. A kind word or a hateful one...a hug or a cold shoulder...a smile or a scowl...a helping hand or brush off; each of these actions have meaning to those around us.

When I think about the power of a single moment, I sometimes feel sad about the opportunities, the moments I have squandered. Even though I live without regret, because the good, the bad and the ugly have brought me to this moment in my life...and I would not change a thing about it because I am so richly blessed...it is hard not to think about the times when a different choice may have made the difference to someone close to me.

So, what will be your moment today? Will you seize the opportunity to make history, not necessarily in some dramatic, public event, but in the gift of a personal interaction with someone around you, the effect of which changes their life? Take the time to speak simple, loving words in every moment. For when we do this, we do this in remembrance of Him.