At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiah’s illness. Hezekiah received the messengers and showed them all that was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine oil—his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. 2 Kings 20:12-13

The LORD had miraculously healed Hezekiah, and the son of Baladan had sent letters and a gift as sort of a “glad you’re well gift.” So what did Hezekiah do when the messengers from Babylon arrive? He boasted of his riches and showed them messengers his storehouse of wealth. What a missed opportunity! And later we’ll see that he didn’t even realize that it was a missed opportunity.

It doesn’t need to be said but we too miss opportunities. The missed opportunities that I refer to are as simple as encouraging someone or visiting someone in a nursing home to presenting the Gospel message to a receptive heart. Some of those opportunities are big, while others are insignificant. So how do we minimize the missed opportunities?

Most of the time these opportunities come when we are busy doing something else, when we’re least likely to have the time or inclination to follow through. Often though it’s a matter of being available and receptive for ministry opportunities. Pray and ask God for wisdom throughout the day, to help you to see the opportunites. They probably come more often than we know.