3.6.9 "Your Opportunity"

"Your Opportunity"

Numbers 6:1-7:89
Mark 12:38-13:13
Psalm 49:1-20
Proverbs 10:27-28

"Lord, please give me a chance to reflect your love to the world around me. Give me an opportunity to let my light shine for you." Have you ever prayed that prayer? I know at some point all of us have. We know what we've been commissioned for, and we want to be successful... if only God would give us a chance... well if only he'd set up THE chance where we'd be "comfortable" sharing with others.

There was ONE time. And I stress only ONE time where I had that kind of opportunity to be "comfortable." It was when my wife and I were school teachers in the same school. We were talking between classes, and another teacher came up to us in tears saying, "I want what you guys have..." We didn't lead her to the Lord, but what an opportunity. Those are the kind of moments we like to look for.

Jesus told us to look for a different opportunity: "When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit." (Mark 13:9-11)

Wow... what an opportunity... I'm certain that most who are reading this today are probably not about to get arrested. That's not really a common occurrence in our culture (at least not in the way Jesus was referring to), but I believe we WILL have the same opportunity. What we fail to see is that when our comfort zone is invaded, threatened, or blown away, THAT is our opportunity.

A mother of a young school band member sent me this a year ago:

"Hi Greg,

I just wanted to share a testimony for my daughter. Since this involves music, I thought you'd appreciate it. Since she was in third grade, she knew she wanted to play saxophone in band. Now that she's in fifth grade, she can take band. Her band instructor requires clarinet prior to sax. She was disappointed, but started clarinet this year. About a month ago, she came home from school all excited that her band teacher was picking people for sax and they'd start soon. Then I asked how her teacher was deciding who would get to play (she only had four spots, with more wanting to play). My daughter said it was based off who had the most home practice time in. The next day, she comes in the house, crying her heart out. I asked what was wrong..." I didn't get picked". Of course, my heart broke for her, knowing how badly she wanted this. I consoled her with ":there's always next year" and I also made her realize that she knew what the teacher expected and she didn't do it. I told her to do what she knows she needs to do and go on.......last Thursday, her band instructor calls me. She raved at how proud of my daughter she is. She explained that most band kids who don't get what they want, either quit or have a bad attitude, neither of which she had. In fact, she said she was just the opposite and increased her clarinet practice time, with a great attitude. She explained that someone decided to quit sax, and now she's offering it to my daughter.

I know this sounds weird, but I'm glad this all happened this way. I got to share with my daughter that her attitude reflected Christ to her teacher and she also learned that everything is not just given to you, some things are truly earned."

I love that testimony! While I'm sure this trial was not the "torture" we picture in Jesus' description, I believe it DOES illustrate a key principle. It's in our nature in a situation to call the teacher and complain about how unfair it is to make our child cry, or blast the teacher for having favorites, or calling talk radio or suing somebody. But when we do that... we lose the "opportunity".

What challenge are you in right now? What trial is around the corner? Do you want to reflect the love of Christ? Recognize the opportunity to deny your flesh and respond with Godly principles.

I'll send you off with the song we sing as a family most mornings:
"This is my chance to change the world,
God has a plan for me.
I'll go where He leads, I'll tell of his love,
For God has strengthened me."

Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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