Gtcotr/ss071711
God gives everyone one thing, the same thing … opportunity.
While there are opportunities which make themselves available day after day which we can be take advantage of at any time, other opportunities – those which often deserve our greatest attention, come along only once in a lifetime.
When it comes to making decisions, “Do today what you may never again get the chance to do”. Take advantage of the fleeting moments of life and learn to respect those “once in a lifetime” opportunities.
God has a plan and a specific part for you to play in His plan.
Just like Esther the Queen, each one of us go through seasons of preparation behind the scenes and are then positioned to act on the stage of life. It was no different for Moses or Elijah, Mary or the Apostle Paul. When it comes time for you to play your part, what will you do? What will you do with those “opportunities of a lifetime”?
Matthew 26
6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster box of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
9 "For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor."
10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.
11 "For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.
12 "For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.
13 "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
Note:
Matthew 26:11 “For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
So much is contained in the words of Jesus. Every time we read what is written in red, we hear the voice of God to which the universe aligns itself. Stars shine, mountains bow down, waves retreat at the sound of His voice.
His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path so that we might never stumble in the darkness but always see the way.
In verse 11, Jesus’ response to the shortsightedness of His loving disciples is a straightforward revelation of:
The First Principle of Priority
Some things cannot be done later.
When uninvolved we tend to undervalue.
A gift says nothing about the recipient and everything about the giver.
Conclusion: Without regard as to how old you are or how long you will live, you have but one life. Each day, every one of us gets one day closer to eternity … one day closer to heaven or hell.
Where will you be one minute after the door of life closes on this earth for you? What can you do one second after it is forever too late to change your mind? Some things cannot be done later! Becoming “born again” is one of those things.
Today is your opportunity to begin again by committing or recommitting your life to Jesus as Lord, Savior, Messiah and Friend.
Today is also your opportunity to begin processing priorities from a new perspective. Which is most important: To agree to work overtime, play another ball game, spend an extra day at the lease, or to attend your parents’ 50th wedding anniversary or a child’s graduation? There will be more chances for work and play, but some things simply cannot be done later. Commit to the priorities of life and build the future you won’t regret.
