Fleeting Opportunities

(The following devotional is taken from J. R. Miller’s book, ”Come Ye Apart”)

Me ye have not always. — Mark 14:7

We ought to learn well the value of opportunities. They do not bide our convenience; but while we linger indecisive they are gone. Then, when they are gone they come not again. Whatever was done for Jesus He said must be done at once, for they would not have Him always. To put off the act of love would be to miss doing it altogether; for when He was once away, however much they might want to do the kindness for Him, it would be too late. The poor they would always have — they might care for them at anytime; but whatever act of love they would render to Jesus they must render at once.

There ought to be a deep lesson for us in our Lord’s word in this place. There are certain things that we shall never have the opportunity to do but once. Here is a mother in a home: for years she has given her life in loving, self-denying service, poured it out like rich ointment for the good of her children. Now she is growing old, and as her children look upon her it is as if she said to them, “Whatever kindness you would do to me you must do now for you will not have me always.”

We hear of a neighbour who is sick. Just now is the time to perform whatever act of love we desire to render, for we may not long have the friend. Tomorrow he may be gone. There have been tears shed over coffins and graves by those who would have given worlds to get their dead back again, to do for them the things that they neglected to do while they had them. The best time to do a kindness is now. Some one has beautifully said: “I expect to pass through this world but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can do for any fellow-being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”