Feb 10 – AFTERWARD!

 “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:17).

Lost opportunities will cause sorrow. Those who have lost their opportunities are in never-ending sadness. Esau is one who lost the opportunity offered to him. Without realising the greatness of the blessing of God, he despised the birthright, sold the same for a mere stew and later roamed in search of the same with tears. In fact, he should have found a place in the list of forefathers. But, as he despised the divine blessings, he lost all the greatness. The Scripture says that he was unable to find the change of mind despite sadly searching for the same.

People who lose their opportunity suffer just like a lad feeling sad after letting a balloon slip away. Those chances will not come back even if one cries for the same for years together. Every second is a great opportunity given to you by God. You can either make use of it for eternity or merely waste the same. But, on the Day of Judgment, you will have to give an account of the lost opportunities. That is why the Scripture says, “…redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

Apart from Esau, one person who felt sadder for the lost opportunity is the rich man who was struggling in hell. He looked at Abraham and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24). The Bible says, “There the workers of iniquity have fallen; they have been cast down and are not able to rise” (Psalm 36:12).

Once a sister saw a leper sitting by the side of the road. The Holy Spirit spoke to her heart saying, “Daughter, proclaim the Gospel to that leper.” But that sister despised that call. That night she was not able to sleep well. In the morning, she rose from the bed and rushed to meet that leper but, there she found him dead.

On seeing that, she became heartbroken. She lamented saying, “Lord, if I had obeyed your words, I could have guided him to eternity. But now, I do not know where his soul is. I lost a wonderful opportunity offered to me.” Dear children of God, never lose your opportunities. 

To meditate: “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).