moment of opportunity

The day before Christmas is always busy!

And the 6 o'clock service for all of the family is always both full and fun. There are loads of folk there who aren't much around other times.

It's a great occasion. A rapid-fire half-hour celebration in which we sing and talk our way through the heart of the Christmas story.

There was much to be encouraged about. So many little signs of God at work.

But this in particular.

I mentioned a few posts back the person who's been burdened by the Lord to start a time of basic Bible study at her work. In chatting it through, we'd thought it would be good to give the thing a run through week-by-week when we meet as a sort of fellowship group.

And in thinking of that it seemed to me an ideal opportunity to invite the next door neighbour of the couple in whose home we meet to come along as well. A time-bound commitment, a chance to work through a gospel, and the sense as well that he'd actually be doing a favour in affording a kind of 'trial run'.

'Now is the time' wrote Paul in one of his letters. And, yes, there are those moments of opportunity in an individual's life. We had the sense that the Spirit of God was saying that this is one such moment.

Well, the man and his family were out at the service tonight. And on leaving he said he'd be coming along.

A wonderful, wonderful gift at this Christmas time from the Lord!