CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 710

“Impact Hours”

Matthew 25:34b (ESV) ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
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Many retail establishments have what are known as ‘impact hours’. These are the times of day where there is a maximum demand for service as well as the maximum opportunity to serve others. My Dad went to be with the Lord a few days ago and as I look at his wristwatch ticking away the seconds, minutes and hours I am reminded of his ‘impact hours’ which are now represented by the dash between the dates, 1925 – 2010 which will be engraved upon his tombstone.

…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve – Matt 20:28 We are called to be Christ-like and to take up our ‘cross’ and follow Jesus in this life. God does not want us to be self-serving and selfish during our impact hours. My Dad was a barber the majority of his life and raised six children as the sole family income provider.

The temptation of our flesh is to become weary of serving and to desire to be served and I am sure that my Dad was not immune to such feelings. Yet, time and time again I recall him packing his barber kit at the end of a long day in his barber shop and going off to the hospital or someone’s home to give a shave and a haircut to the elderly and the sick free of charge.

Following his retirement, Dad continued to serve the elderly and infirm in his neighborhood community that were in need. He administered their medication, assured that they were well fed, shuttled them to and from their doctor appointments and church services, and yes, gave haircuts.

He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; – Psalm 112:9 We leave a legacy by our example. My Dad would tell me stories of growing up during the Great Depression about how his mother and father would never turn anyone away from their door that came looking for help. They always left with a full stomach, clean shaven and with a haircut. Much is taught by what we do and how we act, more so than by what we say. My Dad learned from his father’s example and he faithfully passed the lesson on to others by his actions.

…yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. – James 4:14 The dash between the dates of our birth and death is very tiny and finite in length. Our time for impact hours is fixed. Once the opportunity is past the time cannot be recovered. However, it is never too late to make a difference with the remaining time. It is never too late to begin to serve and make an impact in the present and for the future.

…it is my eager expectation and hope…that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. – Phil 1:20
My Dad faced many challenges during his 85 years – the most recent being his battle with cancer. He faced all of them with a level of courage that others can only aspire to attain. He knew that to die was gain. He was ready to transition from this life to eternal life with Jesus.

May the Spirit of God help you to examine your own life impact hours. May you maximize your opportunity during your time to advance the kingdom of God for His glory and praise.

Dedicated in loving memory of Alcide J. Francoeur, 1925 – 2010