[Jesus said,] “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4, NASB)

While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10, NASB)

On Friday morning, December 13, 2013, here in Kansas City we had one of those times when a thin layer of ice coats everything. I hadn’t been out yet, so I wasn’t aware of it. But my wife went out to a real estate appointment that morning. When her car slid backwards all the way down the driveway, she called me to go out and apply ice melt.

I thought I was being careful. But I got to one particular point of the driveway where there is a slight ridge and the angle of the drive steepens just a bit. While facing down the driveway, my feet slipped, and I feel straight backwards, hitting head first on the concrete. I felt my hands flash numb momentarily. Then when I gathered my thoughts, I felt the back of my head and came away with a handful of blood.

I came inside to our daughter, a missionary to Ecuador who was visiting for the holidays. She called our son, a doctor who lives nearby and who happened to be home that day. He came over, checked me out, told me what symptoms to look for, and left my daughter to keep an eye on me. At first I only had a headache, but it wasn’t long before I got very nauseated and weak, tell-tale signs of concussion. I was completely laid up for a week, and it was a number of weeks before I felt normal.

Within just a few days, the Lord seemed to tell me that this was just a dress rehearsal. This time I would recover, but someday I wouldn’t. I was left with a greater desire to work while it is day.

The first thing that came to mind regarded our hymns website, LNWhymns.com. I had gone already through all my devotional writing and had assembled a list of companion devotional pieces for most of the hymns on the site. A meaningful context is the most important tool for effectively introducing a new hymn, and these devotional readings were designed to provide that. I had considered loading those companion devotionals onto the site as another free feature, but I had decided against it. Surely those devotional pairings would come in handy somewhere along the way, perhaps in a publication for sale.

But with “work while it is day” ringing in my mind, I knew now was the time to act. Within weeks, those “lead-in devotional readings” were available free on LNWhymns.com. (You’ll find them at the end of the printed music pdfs for those hymns that have them, which is most of them.)

What “someday” ministry opportunity has the Lord pressed on your heart? Don’t put it off! When you hear that still small voice prompting you to do some small deed of service, respond. The Lord calls, but usually He whispers. Listen and obey. The night is coming when no one can work. Such opportunities are precious, and they don’t last forever.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: I’ll Sing of You
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics