Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Small Window of Opportunity”

“Make hay while the sun shines—That’s smart...” – Proverbs 10:5 (MSG)

“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” – John 9:4 (New Living Translation)

I’m not a farmer, although I have lived at one time on one. I have also lived in communities where farming was the major industry so I have just enough knowledge to help understand what makes it work.
When we lived in northern Oklahoma we were surrounded by wheat fields. Several people in the church either grew wheat and/or made a living harvesting it. When it was time to harvest the wheat the window of opportunity to “get it in” was narrow, with little room or time for delays. If it rained, that would delay the process. High winds could also hinder it as well. We had one family who owned a couple of combines. They spent the end of the month of May and most of June doing nothing more than harvesting wheat. It was non-stop, around the clock. That was their life—and their livelihood.
You probably have noticed that I like using little “catch-phrases.” Idioms…clichés I suppose. One such catch-phrase I used in the paragraph above—“Window of Opportunity.” And when it comes to farming—and to life, our windows can be narrow with few chances to make a difference. Several scriptures (and thoughts) come to mind here: “Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.” – Psalm 103:15 The Psalmist certainly put this window into perspective. He compared the span (or days) of our lives to that of grass or wildflowers. They do not last long—so our “window” to do what is right is not long.
The Apostle Paul takes an even stronger stance in his letter to Christians in the city of Ephesus. “Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

I don’t think it takes too much imagination to understand Paul’s message here: when that window is open you have to take advantage when you can. Jesus’ message to His disciples were along the same line—only He compares daytime to life itself, and night referring to the time when the window will be closed for good. On the surface, that may appear we have plenty of time to do God’s work but in reality it is not!
In researching material for today’s Jewel, I came across this sentence written by an unknown author: “Life is too short to start your day with broken pieces of yesterday; it will definitely destroy your wonderful today and ruin your great tomorrow.”
Harold and Joan brought their 6 year-old grandson Zach over to their friends, Tom and Madelyn during Christmas to see the Madelyn’s famous Christmas decorations. Zach was interested in everything—ornaments, wreaths, trees, lights. He wanted to see and touch every-thing. At one point Joan decided it was time to go. But Zach resisted. He repeated, over and over, “two more minutes.” He understood that if he left right then, there might not be another chance for him to see Christmas at Madelyn’s. He realized the value of “the moment.” Tomorrow could wait. Today was all that counted. We should learn from children. They are very uncomplicated. To them, yesterday is gone and tomorrow holds no promises. Today is what they live for. Today is their “Window of Opportunity.” Someone once said, “We have to live but one day at a time, but we are living for eternity in that one day.”
The Apostle Paul understood this truth. He wrote to the Church at Corinth (2nd Cor. 6:22), “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” I think this truth can be summarized in three statements: Learn from Yesterday; Live for Today; Hope for tomorrow The Window of Opportunity may not be open long.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.