Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men

What does opportunity look like? Is it a man on the street corner with a sign? Is it a call from a friend in need? Is it a prayer request attached to a devotional? Do you have to have opportunity knock on your door before you recognize it?

I witnessed opportunity taken yesterday in an unexpected moment. I wish I could have been the one to do good. I wasn’t. I was attentive to my wife and the moment she was having. I wasn’t listening to a conversation that was happening at the next booth.

“I left my wallet at home and I am out of gas. I have to pick the kids and if you could please bring me some cash for gas.” The man spoke into the phone.

My dear friend heard the conversation, reached into his wallet and gave the man fifteen dollars. I would have done the same, but I wasn’t looking for opportunity. It isn’t a matter of willingness, it is about attention. We get caught up in our own little world, so busy, so important, so personal that the opportunity to do good will often slip by us. I wish I weren’t so single focused. Opportunity does not always come banging for attention.

I thank God my friend saw opportunity and responded with the love of God, blessing the man, blessing God and blessing me as I got to witness Galatians 6:10 in action. Having seen this, knowing it is possible to find opportunity anywhere at any time, I will be more keen to my surroundings.

Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

For His sake, in His name.

Titus 3:3a For we ourselves also were sometimes

I purposely did not finish this verse and left off the list of things that might or might not remind you of a past life. It really doesn’t matter what you were back then before Christ. The important issue is that we left that life behind. I don’t have to spell it out, I don’t have to be specific. You know you have changed. I know I have also, thank God.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

I have struggled with this verse. Grace growth has been slower than I had expected, slower than I desired. I was at a point where I was beginning to think that perhaps it was going to be something I had to struggle with always. I know what I am and I see things in black and white. That is judgment, pure and simple.

Last night I saw error and I did not pounce upon it with the rod of correction. God showed me the heart of the one speaking and my tenderness in fellowship, my earnest desire to maintain unity and harmony in the body outweighed my need to be right. I saw grace growth.

I’ve been walking with the Lord for a long time. I have no idea why God changes one thing about me and leaves another untouched. I struggle and like Paul in Romans 7, I identify with doing things I do not want to do. Like Paul I thank God.

Today I thank God for what others won’t even notice because they don’t see what is going on inside me. I see it and I know it is grace for grace sake, a gift from God.

Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

Thanks be to God for even the smallest of changes.