October Opportunity

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The weather was a little chilly, but in October you have to get the rides in when you can. At least the wind wasn’t blowing at 30 mph like it had been for the last week.

The ride began with a short ride over to Sarge's under a blue sky afternoon. Sarge was more than pleased to seize the opportunity to ride his new bike. We headed south out of the cities toward farm country.

I was surprised to see how quickly the vibrant colorful autumn had turned to the lifeless muted hues of winter. The fields that had been full of crops now lay debris filled from a harvest passed. When had all of this taken place? How had Life stolen the last month from me without me realizing it? I often become so fixated on life's big moments that I fail to notice what I have just sped past.

The ride turned out to be fantastic as we slowly rode through the rolling hills and twisting back roads. The ride couldn’t have been better that day. Why, we even had a bowl of soup in a small town deli. I can honestly say the local folks were as nice as I have ever met and the squash soup; outstanding.

But, I can’t help wondering what I missed. I’m sure there was a missed opportunity out there that day.

I think of how in the book of John chapter 4, Jesus and His disciples were traveling from Judea to Galilee and had to pass through Samaria. The disciples had gone into the city to buy food for the journey while Jesus sat by a well waiting for them. It didn’t take long before a Samaritan woman came to the well to fill her water pot. Jesus recognized the opportunity to minister to her in a way only God could. When the disciples returned they were ready to continue with their plans and complete the journey.

Then Jesus said to them.
“Do you not say, ‘There are four months, and then comes the harvest’?”

Soon after Jesus said this, the Samaritan woman brought many of the town’s people to meet this Man that she had met. The scriptures go on to tell us that many lives were positively changed.

I have struggled for a long time with what Jesus meant by this. But, I think I get it now. You see the disciples were so fixated on getting to Galilee to do good works that they failed to notice the opportunity to be a healing balm to someone hurting right in front of them. Too often I march toward events that may be months away while trampling the seeds around me that have sprouted and are ready to harvest. I must quit fixating on 4 months down the road and return to living each second.

By God's grace I will:

1. Have open ears so I can hear the pain in people’s voices and respond to God's call to action.

2. Return to living each moment with open eyes and watch for the opportunity to be His hands.

3. Be willing to set my own agenda aside and put the needs of others before my own.

4. Be obedient to my heart when it says to be Jesus to someone.


Remember to always ride the narrow road and stop in and see us again.


Your Brother Larry.