The Sin of Missed Opportunities

One day, as the Holy Spirit prompted me to repent of opportunities that I did not pursue faithfully, I became aware of the sin of not being faithful with opportunities the Lord puts on our way.

We read in Colossians 4:5-6 (Amp): “Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.  Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].”

This refers to non Christians, but it applies equally to our interaction with one another.  What opportunities does the Holy Spirit refer to here?  We can call them Divine appointments.  In other words God has an appointment with you to make a difference in somebody's life, with the view to further His Kingdom in that person's life and the lives of those they influence.

Esau despised God's opportunity set out for him.

Holiness means to be set aside for God and we have learned a while ago that God being holy means that He is set aside solely for His purposes.  He has nothing on His agenda but His Kingdom.  Everything He works in and through us is for the sake of His Kingdom.

Therefore every opportunity He brings our way is Him trusting us to do it for the sake of His Kingdom.  This is why Paul urged believers to make the most of every opportunity coming our way.  It pleases the Lord when we obey by faith.

What does it mean to obey by faith?  When you receive a challenge maybe in your job, sport or hobby, you tackle it not necessarily having the required knowledge or skills initially, but by faith you proceed knowing that somehow you will figure it out.  I am sure many of us can identify with the scenario I have pictured here.

If we are able to do this for ourselves, how much more are we able to respond in obedience to an opportunity to help build God's interests, which He lays before us?  It is even easier, since we have the Holy Spirit guiding us in the successful pursuit of the opportunity.

We should consider how much we grieve the Holy Spirit when we, after He has gone to the trouble to prepare the opportunity for us, shove it back in His face so to speak.  How would you feel when someone volunteered to help you accomplish a project, you go through all the trouble to prepare their share for them, relying on their help, and then they let you down because their own interests are more important?

How does the Lord feel when we do it to Him?

What opportunities are we referring to?  These are opportunities to act on behalf of the Lord, since we are His hands, feet and voice.  These could be opportunities to encourage, share your faith, lead someone to the Lord, teach, help, serve, equip, plant a church, and use your gift - anything the Lord needs to build His Kingdom.

The second part of our passage under discussion (verse 6) speaks of how we should go about it.  It mentions graciousness of speech and being seasoned with salt. In my teaching on us being the salt of the earth from the Sermon on the Mount, we have learned that being the salt of the earth brings about tastiness for the Kingdom of God, a thirst for Him, as well as being an antiseptic, a preservative and a purifier of the earth and the condition it is in.  The same applies to the words and the way we address people. Seasoned with salt has to have the same effect as mentioned above.  Our words should create tastiness for the Kingdom of God, a thirst for Him, as well as antisepsis, preservation and purification in the person we address.

·         How often have you obeyed the Holy Spirit when an opportunity came your way?

·         How often have you ignored such opportunities because you had other agendas?  

·         Do you think the Lord will keep you accountable?   

·         Do you think the Lord need you to accomplish His holy purposes with His Kingdom?

·         Are you available?

Lord, I repent of my reluctance to obey you.  Please enable me to hear your voice better and to respond in obedience and faith.