OPPORTUNITIES … How we handle them is a big deal! They either bring positive results or when ignored or pushed away lead to negative outcomes. I’ll bet you, as I, have some positive stories of opportunities taken advantage of, and also some negative accounts of opportunities missed or squandered.
My Bible reading this morning told of such an opportunity (Luke 10:38-42) – one we probably identify with at some level…
Jesus had come to town and had decided to visit the home of two of His disciples, Martha and Mary! I mean what an opportunity! Think about it – what would you do, how would you prepare for His visit, what would you plan to do to take advantage of the Lord’s presence?
The Bible says, “Martha welcomed Him!” She began preparations immediately to entertain Him… Things needed to be just right! There would be guests who would drop by! There needed to be refreshments available and special meals to be prepared. His accommodations needed to be neat, clean and just right! After all He was a special guest! The preparations were a big responsibility and even after He arrived the Bible records, “MARTHA WAS DISTRICTED with much serving.” She was trying her best to be an excellent hostess! Her sense of responsibility was so great, in fact, it actually pushed any opportunity to spend time with the Lord away!
And what was Mary, her sister doing? ,,, The Bible says, “Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching!” It “ticked off” Martha! Finally, she could stand it no longer and complained to the Lord; “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”
The response of Jesus was telling… Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things! One thing is necessary! MARY HAS CHOSEN THE GOOD PORTION, WHICH WILL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER!”
There it is – a lesson for us… How do we handle the incredible opportunity of time spent with the Lord? Do we allow our sense of daily duties and responsibility to push away our opportunities for time with the Lord, listening to His voice, and learning from Him? Or do we prioritize our opportunities of time spent in His presence? The Bible describes Martha as “DISTRACTED with much serving!” But Mary was not going to miss the incredible opportunity of time with the Lord!”
An old gospel song addressed the issue this way: “Take Time to be Holy, speak oft with thy Lord, abide in Him always and feed on His word!” Don’t allow the pressures and responsibilities of life, often legitimate and necessary, to “distract” you and rob you of the incredible opportunity of time in the Lord’s presence! I jotted these words in the margin of my Bible today beside Luke 10:38-42… “LeRoy, CHOOSE WISELY!”
Coffee With The Lord 