I was driving to Namibia with my brother from another mother. He enjoys taking me with him because as a retired InterKaap bus driver (in my student years) I’m not afraid of driving. 

When we were on the road, he often slept upright. But when he was awake, we talked a lot. We didn’t even turn on the radio. It would only bother him, as he was partially deaf. Sometimes I had to speak so loudly that I was afraid I’d crack the windshield, but I would not tell him that if I wanted to keep my face intact. 

The longer the road, the deeper we went and of course the more honest we became. There was no woman present to take notes to use later. My friend said he didn’t like it when women were refereeing rugby matches, because he thought they penalised players for mistakes made in previous games. 

We confessed easily to each other, as we knew the truth would eventually come out. Unspoken truths fester and grow into bigger problems. Once they’re brought to light, we can work together to mend the situation. 

So, my brother opened his heart. As usual, he could not drive past the garage on this side of Worcester. Despite his need to watch his sugar intake, he has zero resistance to a garage pie. 

While he stood in line, he saw the security guard at the food counter ordering rice and pudding. The rice was less than ten rand, but when the piece of chicken was added, the amount came to more than fifty rand. 

The security guard couldn’t afford to pay for the chicken, so he asked them to take it back. He was left only with the container of rice. My brother simply paid for his pie and left. 

As we drove, he confessed. What would it have cost him to tell the guard to keep the chicken and he’d pay? Nothing. Those fifty rands wouldn’t have made a dent in his wallet. 

We all make such mistakes and then question our salvation. The day before our trip, I was with another friend who was deeply concerned about what the result would be if he arrived at the gates of heaven. 

Fortunately, we know the theology. It is Jesus who opens the gates for us and not our handiwork that turns on the green light. Yet we must be more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and do the right thing. 

We need to help other people. We shouldn’t let opportunities go by. When we have a chance to do right, we must do it, because: 17… whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 

We don’t have to cut our wrists if somewhere along the way we were deaf to the guidance of the Spirit. We don’t need to punish ourselves if we’ve done something that we know is not within the will of God. We won’t miss the bus to heaven. 

However, we should use these missed opportunities as motivation to seek out places where God wants us to make a difference in people’s lives, and then simply act on those opportunities. 

Scripture
1 John 2:15-17 

Reflection
Where have you missed chances to make a difference?
What can you do to prevent that from happening again?
Where are you called to make a difference? 

Prayer
Father, I feel so bad for the chances I missed to do good. Help me to seize every chance next time to do good and make a difference in other people’s lives. Amen.