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Opportunities
by Jeanne Sullivan

  I like observing people, almost as much as nature.  There is much to learn from both, but usually my mind makes a spiritual connection.  Allow me to share one such observation.

  Sitting on a shelly knoll under a mangrove tree, during a recent trip to Sanibel Island, I observed a couple on the beach.  The husband was relaxing under an umbrella, in a comfortable chair, about 20 ft. from the water’s edge.  His wife, however, was at the water’s edge, sitting in a beach chair.  Perhaps she didn’t want to miss anything.  The husband spotted a pair of dolphins swimming at close range. He excitedly pointed them out to his wife, saying, “There they are.”  Each time he did that, she would turn to him, and say “Where?”  Each time she turned around she missed their surfacing.  I’m not sure she ever saw the dolphins, even though eventually, the patient husband got up, and went to her side to point them out. Considering my rather dry sense of humor, I found this quite amusing.

  As I continued to muse on this, I wondered if we miss spiritual opportunities.  The Lord told His disciples to look onto the fields, for they are white unto harvest, John 4:35.  In other words, everywhere around us there are opportunities for reaching out to people, and sharing the gospel.  What is our mindset?  Is it one of being aware and concerned that there are lost souls, people who may only have the opportunity to hear the gospel from you or me.  Is every person you meet a potential brother or sister in Christ?  Perhaps the stresses and business of living life have left you feeling complacent, even to your own spiritual condition.  Therefore, living the Great Commission is not high on your priority list.  Besides, who might be interested in knowing your Jesus?  So you often look back, and ask Jesus, “Where is the opportunity?  Who can I teach?”

  Sometimes, just sitting still and being aware can open our eyes to opportunities.

  Let me share an analogy.  Later that day, I was intently reading a book on the Island, which explained where to go to see natural wildlife, and best places to go shelling. An unusual noise caused me to look up, following the sound. Not far from me, in a huge Australian pine tree, was a beautiful female Osprey.  She was quite majestic in her perch, but became even more impressive as I watched her dive from the tree into the water. She emerged with a fish, and then flew to a neighboring tree.  To my surprise, in that tree was a behemoth nest and in that nest was her baby, who enjoyed the snack.  Daddy was sitting in the tree, as well. What an awesome sight!  The Ospreys had been right in front of me, but I had not observed them earlier, because of my preoccupation with reading and learning as much as possible so I wouldn’t miss anything on our trip. Yet, if I had missed that sighting, I would have missed one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

  I gained an insight that afternoon.  Yes, I may read my Bible daily, and go to church regularly. Perhaps I am considered mature and wise in my brethrens’ eyes. Yet my maturity should be viewed by the fruit I bear and the lives I touch for Him.  My circles of friends are the ones I go to church with.  Do we become complacent in our comfort zone?  All is well!  What did you say?  The “fields are white unto harvest”…Oh yeah!!!  That is what I’m supposed to do with accumulated knowledge—to develop wisdom and use His Words to save precious souls. We are blessed when we become effective doers, after looking intently at the perfect law of liberty, not forgetful hearers, James 1:25.

  Perhaps, seizing opportunities to make new friends will lead to Bible study and conversion.  Some of the greatest opportunities are right before our eyes.   Let us open our eyes and see each one before us, not as the sales clerk, or Girl Scout leader... but as a precious soul, an opportunity given by the Lord.  Indeed, if we pray for opportunities to share His Word, God is faithful to give them to us. It is up to us to keep our eyes open and to desire and seek this as our priority. 

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