Act before the Opportunity Is Gone   

On a recent Sunday, several of us from our church went out to eat at a local restaurant. We were saying goodbye to a family that was moving to another state. What we didn’t realize at the time is that we were also saying goodbye to this eating establishment. The next day we heard that it had closed down. Although we had still frequented the restaurant, we knew that its customer base had dwindled considerably over the past few years. So although this closing wasn’t completely surprising, it still was disappointing as we had eaten many meals there and had some fond memories associated with the place.

This sudden and unexpected shutdown reminds us that we never know when we might be experiencing something for the last time. We don’t know if it might be our final time to visit a particular location. We don’t know if this might be our last conversation with an individual. We don’t know what tomorrow, or even the next hour, may hold in store for us. Some endings are known beforehand and we can prepare for them, as we did for that family that was relocating. Other times things change without any prior warning.

With that in mind, we would do well to pay attention to some biblical admonitions. “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). “Come now you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15).

Let’s be careful about procrastinating. We don’t know when doors of opportunity might suddenly slam shut due to changing circumstances. Let’s do what we can do today while we are still able to do it. Tomorrow we might wake up to a different world – a different economy, a different family situation, a difference in our physical health – or we might not even wake up at all. Let’s not take tomorrow for granted.

Likewise, let’s not leave situations unresolved that could result in regrets later. This especially holds true concerning our relationships. Don’t let anger, resentment, and bitterness marinate in your heart and mind. Seek to make amends with anyone who may be holding something against you. Make reconciliation more of a priority. Don’t wait for the other person to take the initiative. While complete healing of a relationship may be dependent on the willingness of the other person involved, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).   

Above all, don’t delay in taking care of any business with God that is needed. That relationship with Him is the most important of all. Let’s make sure that there is no willful sin standing between us and the Lord. Have we repented and found His forgiveness? Do we have the peace that comes from knowing all is well with our soul? And are we faithfully fulfilling the responsibilities He has given us to do until either He returns or we leave this world?

We never know when things will change and opportunity will be lost. So let’s take care of those important matters today.