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Opportunity is knocking at our door
K. Allan Blume, BR Editor
March 26, 2012
4 MIN READ TIME

Opportunity is knocking at our door

Opportunity is knocking at our door
K. Allan Blume, BR Editor
March 26, 2012

By definition, an opportunity is limited by time. An opportunity to help a friend is limited to the point in time when your friend has a specific need. An opportunity is a favorable circumstance, a moment in time, an open door to do something that can only be done at that given moment.

We’ve all had those regrettable times when we saw an opportunity and did nothing. We could have made a difference in a life, a family, a community or even the world, but we missed it.

We did not capitalize on the one moment that we will never be able to recapture, no matter how much we would like to turn back the clock. What we should have done will remain undone for eternity.

Jesus captured the urgency of time when he said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4, NKJ).

There is a time given to us to do the right thing. When the night comes, the door is closed. It will never be open again.

Such a moment faces North Carolinians.

A very simply worded, uncomplicated amendment to our state’s constitution will be on the ballot on May 8. Responsible citizens will cast a vote. Christians have an opportunity to impact our culture in a very positive way by voting for the amendment.

I pray that men and women of conviction will vote consistent with the truth of scripture to identify marriage as God defined marriage – one man and one woman.

This is a definition which has worked since the creation of man and woman. Civilized cultures have embraced it without question. This definition has never been the cause of societal collapse. It has never undermined a single political system. On the contrary, it has been a bedrock of social and moral stability wherever it is practiced.

But, my concern is that we will miss two opportunities. We will miss the opportunity to pray together, and we will miss the opportunity to vote together.

May 3 is the National Day of Prayer. This is the Thursday before we have the opportunity to vote for the marriage amendment.

May 3 and May 8 are two monumental days of opportunity. I hope we will not miss either date.

I want to plead with pastors and other Christian leaders to plan a specific prayer event on Thursday, May 3. As you gather to pray for America (it is the National Day of Prayer), pray for North Carolina. North Carolina needs the truth of God’s Word and a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit. This will not happen apart from fervent prayer.

In Luke 18, Jesus gave a great parable on the power of prayer. The Holy Spirit made sure that Luke inserted these words before he reported the parable: “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1, NKJ). He seemed to be saying that in a time of need, there are two choices: pray or give up. The word translated “lose heart” (“faint” in the King James) means “to be utterly spiritless; weary to the point of exhaustion.”

We must pray. We cannot afford to throw in the towel. This is our opportunity to pray for our state and our nation in very specific ways.

Christian pastors and leaders must call God’s people to prayer. I believe Christians have a genuine desire to follow leaders who will issue a call for public gatherings of prayer. Call people to prayer for a breakfast gathering, a noon gathering, or an evening service. Encourage everyone to ask their employers if they can meet for prayer during their lunch break on May 3.

As we pray, acknowledge to God that America’s problems are not primarily financial, political or social. Our problems are spiritual.

America’s hope does not rest in one leader or institution. Our hope is found in the One who created us, and loves us enough to give His only Son for our eternal salvation. Call to God on behalf of America, that He will hear our cry, and that we would see a revolution of righteousness sweep our state and nation.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Resources for the National Day of Prayer may be found at NationalDayofPrayer.org. Resources for the marriage amendment may be found at BRnow.org/marriage.)