The first email I ever received from Greg Byers closed with him saying, “Make a good day.” I have since learned that that phrase is a favorite benediction of his. And I enjoy saying it back to him.

The reason I like it is because it puts you in the driver’s seat. A lot of things happen during the course of a day, many of which you cannot control. But you can choose to make something good come out of them. You can decide to have a good day if for no other reason than it is a day that the Lord has made.

For the last several months, we have been feverishly planning for this week: the 31st annual Southside Lectures. The speakers and topics were scheduled well in advance. A radio commercial was produced. Over 1,500 brochures have been hand- delivered to our neighbors around the church building. Our members have responded to the challenge to invite at least four people. A special workday has the building looking warm and inviting to our guests. In more ways than one, we are prepared to have a good week.

But we must fight the temptation to think that just because the lectures have arrived, the work is done. Now is not the time to relax. We’re not finished yet. We can still be busy not just having a good week, but making one. In fact, if we do that, we can go from a good week to a great one.

What are some ways we can make the 31st lectureship one of the greatest weeks we’ve ever had?

Make plans to be here. We’ve invited four. We’ve made the neighbors aware. We’ve broadcasted the message over the airways. Let’s not neglect our own attendance. Remember, these are the Southside Lectures, intended primarily for “the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). This body, that is. And you are a vital member of it.

Not everyone can take vacation from work to be here during the morning sessions. Many do not have a flexible schedule where they can come every single session. But each one of us can make plans to be here as much as the opportunity allows. Can you imagine if one of the people you invited made a sacrifice to come and found that you deemed a television show or a ball game of more importance? You can be here as often as you can. Make it happen.

Make yourself available. We will have visitors this week not only from our area but from all over the country. If you see someone you don’t recognize, make them feel welcome. You never know how far a warm handshake or a friendly smile will go. Since we’re talking about “And Jesus Said” this week, it was the Lord who commended the gift of “a cup of cold water to drink” (Matt. 10:42). The most refreshing thing you can give is yourself.

When you are the visitor, what is it that you want? Just to know that somebody cares. Invite someone to sit with you. Show another where to put their lecture recording requests. Ask someone if they need anything while they are here. These are little things. But they make a big difference.

Make it count. This is a week we plan and work for and anticipate all year long. Now that it is finally here, make the most of it. Don’t have any regrets afterward. In other words, “whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might” (Eccl. 9:10).

Put your whole heart into everything you do this week. Sing louder. Listen more intently. Tell the speakers, “I needed that.” It will make his day. It will make your week. And it will help your worship from this day forward.

The Southside Lectures do not benefit us for just this one week. They build us up and strengthen us to the work that is ours for the other 51 weeks of the year. If we will each do what we can to make this a great week, we will glorify our great God who has spoken to us in His Son. And along the way, we’ll make some more memories.

—Bubba Garner