Opportunity

OPPORTUNITY

(January 2002)

 

“‘King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you

do believe.’ Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me

to become a Christian.’” (Acts 26:27–28, NKJV)

 

The author of an article in U.S. Catholic magazine tells of

the time when he was not ready for the opportunity of a

lifetime. Like many young men, he dreamed of playing

baseball in the big leagues but never really thought the

opportunity would come his way. Suddenly, it materialized as

he was scanning the want ads for a summer job. The Toronto

Blue Jays were having tryouts in his hometown. His baseball

cleats were rusty and his pony league uniform was layered

with dust, but he decided to go for it! Why not!

 

After arriving at the tryout site, his anxieties soared.

“How long ya been practicing for this?” one hopeful asked

another. “ ‘Bout six months. Wished I started sooner,” he

moaned.

 

Our would-be big leaguer had already struck out. He knew it

and it was too late to do anything about it.1 He simply

hadn’t prepared for his day of opportunity.

 

One of the things I learned in the Boy Scouts many years

ago, something I’ve never forgotten, was their motto:

“Be prepared.”

 

Other mottos I’ve never forgotten are these: “It’s better to

be trained and not called than to be called and not trained”

because “Opportunity comes to pass—not to pause!”

 

It’s extremely important that we prepare ahead of time for

this life including … getting an adequate education to

prepare for a meaningful life work (and preparing for a

second and even a third profession if necessary in our

rapidly changing world) … get training for marriage …

for parenting … and for old age.

 

It’s even more important and critical that we prepare now

for the hereafter. In Bible times King Agrippa had the

opportunity of a lifetime when the Apostle Paul invited him

to believe in and accept Jesus as his Savior. As far as we

know he never did do this and he missed not only an

opportunity for a lifetime but for all eternity. “He was an

Almost Persuaded.”

 

Don’t be an “Almost Persuaded.” If you have never accepted

Jesus as your Savior, be sure to do that today … it is your

day of opportunity. “Behold, now is the accepted time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2,

NKJV)

 

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to see that life

is full of opportunities—opportunities to serve you in a

myriad of ways…to reach out and help others…. Help me to

always be ready and use these opportunities to glorify you.

And above all, help me to be sure of my salvation and not

end my life as an ‘almost persuaded.’ Gratefully, in Jesus’

name. Amen.”

 

1 From www.sermons.com