OPPORTUNITY

Today's reading: Mark 13-14

"But when these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the courts and beaten in the synagogues. You will be accused before governors and kings of being my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me." Mark 13:9 NLT

The word 'opportunity' jumped off the pages of my Bible this morning as I read this portion of Scripture.

Jesus is telling His disciples that tough times are coming.

He is explaining to them that they will be accused, condemned and beaten for being His.

He is letting them know, ahead of time, that it will be during these harshest moments of their lives they will find opportunity to speak of Him.

In the hardest times?

When life seems unfair...unkind...unlovely?

When we're sitting in the waiting room of the doctor's office?

When we're standing in the unemployment line?

When we're selling off everything we own just to get the bills paid?

When we're sweeping up dashed plans and broken dreams?

Those precise times are when we have an audience--a crowd of onlookers waiting to see IF what we've claimed to believe on the sunshine-y days remains the same when dark clouds gather overhead.

These opportunities won't be postponed until the 'end times', they are occurring every single day of our lives.

Are you taking them? Are you making the most of the opportunities God is providing to you?