Lost Opportunities

Are you seizing the opportunities

that God is placing before you?

I didn't.

We have been commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself to reach those around us. When Jesus gave what we call "The Great Commission" to His disciples, He told them where to minister.

Acts 1:8 KJV But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

First, in Jerusalem — HOME.

Second, in Judaea — All of the land surrounding Jerusalem.

Third, in Samaria — A nearby city about 34 miles from Jerusalem, home.

And finally, the uttermost part of the earth — The rest of it.

You are in your Jerusalem. Your home is this school. Just as the disciples spent their time in and around Jerusalem, where they ministered, so do you spend time in and around this school. You have friends here that don't know Christ. We are called, by Christ, to reach them first. After we've done our best in our own "home," then we can go out to others.

My witness outside of my school was lessened because of my lack of witness inside my school.

I didn't take care of my Jerusalem, my school, when I was in it. My witness wasn't as strong as it could have been, and I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that during the years I was in school, I did not see any of my friends give their life to the Lord. Not one. It's not that I didn't have the opportunities — I had plenty of opportunity. A friend of mine who began to delve into the occult, demons and witchcraft killed his mom and then committed suicide my freshman year of high school. I remember the day after it happened, coming to school and seeing so much pain on everyone's faces. Did I tell them about God? Did I tell them there was something better than what they were feeling? That God could bring them through it and actually make good of it?

Sadly, no. I let that opportunity fly right by me.

That's an extreme — how many times did I see someone cheat on a test, or did I cheat on a test, and not do anything or say anything? How many times did I laugh at that dirty joke in the locker room? Or talk about someone behind their back? Or make excuses of why I didn't drink or smoke or sleep around other than my God wants to me keep pure.

"Why don't you smoke?" they'd ask. I'd say, "Man, that stuff is bad for you." What an opportunity I missed!! I could have said, "I don't smoke because my body is the temple of God, and He asks me to keep it pure."

I look back, and I regret that I didn't act when I knew I could have. I had the opportunity to witness in my Jerusalem, but I was too interested in my image, my ego and my reputation. I've since "woken up" and I know that God has forgiven me of that double life, and now my sights are on Him. Each day, He gives me more boldness. You know, it becomes easier, the more you do it.

What opportunities are you letting slide by you? What chances are you letting slip away? Is your witness as strong on the inside of these walls as they are on the outside? If not, you're living a double life.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What opportunities has God placed before in your life?
that you took advantage of?
that you led go by you without acting?
How do you know when God is placing an opportunity before you?

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