Missing a spiritual opportunity is something we might not even be aware of. Often, the busyness of this world and our selfishness close our eyes to what God is doing. As you walk along your spiritual journey, pay attention to what God is doing around you and ask Him for wisdom so you do not miss His blessings.
As Jesus walked to the place of crucifixion, He was weak and beaten. Yet, in this distressing moment, Jesus addressed the mourning women of Jerusalem, recognizing their grief as His crucifixion approached. He prophetically spoke of the coming days when they would weep because the people rejected Him.
Luke 23:29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child, and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” [1]
Our Relationship with God is Everything
Without having a relationship with God, all the money we could make and the jobs we could have would amount to nothing of lasting value. Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.[2]
A life without the Lord is like running in circles. Although Jesus had spent three years of ministry, most people rejected Him and missed the most critical gift of their lives. The rejection of this gift would bring the world they knew to an end shortly. The nation of Israel was like a green tree as Jesus ministered to them. It was a time of blessing and opportunity and should have been a period of fruitfulness. But the nation of Israel rejected Him, squandering an opportunity before them to pursue garbage in comparison.
Repenting For Missing the Opportunity
Sometimes, we miss what God has for us because of our sins, but that does not mean we must stay there. A missed opportunity can be a wake-up call where the Lord leads us to the cross to ask for forgiveness. It is often through humility that we can begin to hear God’s voice and are obedient to future opportunities.
Unfortunately, we can’t relive our lives, but we can begin again. Paul says it best regarding opportunities the Lord presents to us. Ephesians 5:16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.[3] Paul is telling us that we should focus on the Lord and the assignments He brings to us where we can make a difference in the lives of others. If you have missed opportunities the Lord gave you, the Lord is calling you today to the cross to begin again.
To learn more about missing a spiritual opportunity, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-ultimate-sacrifice
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.