When we think about our Opportunities in Christ, we should not think of one momentous act but of the small opportunities presented in our daily lives. This, of course, requires daily effort that can be wearisome but the apostle exhorts us: “Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10).
Spiritual opportunity not always easy to see
In our day, as it was in days gone by, the pressure of the everyday world is ever present. It is far easier to see the material than it is to grasp the beauty of God’s eternal purpose. Most of us are burdened with making ends meet, which we are enabled to do in the providence of God. There are also the screaming headlines, newscasts and preparations for war that distract us.
Surely we have every reason to feel that the bridegroom is at the door. If we knew of a certainty that Christ was returning at midnight tonight, everything in our lives would focus on his return. But it was not intended that we should exist under too great a strain of expectancy. We must, therefore attune our lives to the basic principle of threescore and ten. If we do this, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, we shall be ready when he comes. We will never feel ready, but through the propitiation of His love in Christ, we shall enter in through the gates into the city.
Having the Truth gives us great opportunity
The finding of the Truth is compared by Jesus to finding a treasure so wonderful that a man sells all that he has to secure it (Matt. 13:44). Sometimes we can lose sight of the value of what we have, as did Ananias and Sapphire. What a trivial piece of land they had, yet how important it turned out to be as it cost them the treasure of the kingdom.
The corporate stocks we may have, some money in the bank, the homes we live in, the cars we drive, all the material things we possess are nothing compared to the opportunity we have in Christ. One day, they will all be left behind as we stand face to face before him.
How are we to use our spiritual opportunity?
We must be active
We have been entrusted with a great treasure. The financier takes advantage of every opportunity for putting his capital to work. He knows that so long as it lies idle, it bears no return. It is this principle that should activate those who have had the “true riches” committed to their keeping.
Let us not dig a hole and hide our talents in the earth; let us not squander on that which is profitless. Rather, let us trade with our talents every day in sowing the seed of the word, doing good to all and endeavoring to lay aside the sin which doth so easily beset us.
Each day is a replica of a lifetime. Let us reduce our lives to this single day and see the opportunities it presents.
In the morning, we awaken to opportunity. It is not what others will do with this day that should concern us but what we will do with it. Let it include a prayer of thanks and a hymn of praise that sincerely flows through our hearts. Let it include a cheery good morning to our fellow travelers, whether in the Truth or not. Let there be a prayer of thanks for food. Let there be diligence at our daily tasks -in the office, in the kitchen, in the plant, in our care for one another. Let there be diligence to radiate the Truth. If Jesus is in our hearts, the true light will shine. Let there be a daily reading of the word which is vital if our lamps are to be well oiled. Let the reading be thoughtful, not mechanical, that we may apply it to our lives.
We are not destined to do great things, but let us be sure to do the little things that we have opportunity to do.
Opportunity in hospital
One of our sisters was bed ridden with an incurable disease. She was confined to a sanatorium and there she taught the Truth to her roommate. After our sister’s death, the roommate taught the Truth to her roommate. All three are now sleeping in Christ, but is this not a good example of using every opportunity?
Their lives were spent in bed in a sanatorium. And yet, opportunity was there. Our sister could have grieved at the shortness of her life. And perhaps at times she did. Yet she made use of her short days sowing eternal seed.
Opportunity to develop faith
David was a man after God’s own heart. His life is an inspiration to us all, perhaps the more so because, at times, his weaknesses seem familiar to us.
His greatest asset was his reliance upon God in distress. In this he never wavered. He had great respect for God’s choice of Saul; he had utter disdain for Joab’s premeditated murder of a rival; his sorrow in transgression was relieved by his trust in God’s mercy.
His troubles gave him opportunity to develop and to demonstrate his faith. While we live in a different age, our own trials provide a similar opportunity to ourselves. Our trust in God must be a living trust, filled with full recognition of His omnipotence and omnipresence.
Today is our day of opportunity. Let us examine ourselves to see if we are fulfilling the opportunities we have. This analysis is ours to make at present — later it will be his!
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One