It is back to school time and we dropped off our kids back to college on last Friday. Due to the registration time and move-in time are early in the morning, we chose to stay in a hotel the day before in order to avoid any possible traffic jams on the road. Our car was packed with luggage and passengers, including two of our in-laws – it was a full load ride. Thanks to our Lord, we arrived at our destination safely and smoothly. 

This year we are happy to see my son moved in a two bedrooms townhouse which has a nice kitchen and dinning/living room. After seeing the kitchen, my son asked my wife to give him a short lesson of cooking. My wife told him that it is too late now since we couldn’t stay there too long. Later we found out that his roommate brought in good cookware and utensils to share. We then chatted with his roommate’s mother and learned that her son is a good cook. We thank God for His arrangement.

My son has a not-so-good habit – he likes to do / ask thing at the last minute. Oftentimes this gives us headaches, especially when it involves us to be ready for buying something for him, or taking him to somewhere, etc. I repeatedly told him that he needs to give us time before we can react to his requests. I certainly hope that he can change the habit during the school years before it is too late.

I am sure we all have our sheer experience in doing thing at the last minute. To me, it is painful and carries a lot of mental pressure. The worst nightmare, I think, is to find out that you missed a lifetime opportunity or an important deadline – “It is too late”.  In a letter that apostle Paul wrote to his dear co-worker, Timothy. Paul requested Timothy “Do your best to come to me quickly你要趕緊的到我這裡來 (2 Timothy 4:9)”.  On the surface, it may just like a normal request. When you look it closer, you will find that is a heart-felt and earnest request that Paul made to Timothy. As Paul’s life is entering the last chapter, his death is imminent. He would like to see his spiritual son, co-worker, and dear brother Timothy one more time. The opportunity for Paul to see him was heavily depending upon timing before winter, as it is not sailable on the sea during winter time. Unfortunately, as is commonly known, Timothy missed the opportunity due to various reasons. I am sure Paul would feel greatly disappointed.

In our life journey, there exist numerous opportunities that we can pursue and may take a hold of it. However, opportunity vanishes when timing is missed. The author of the book of Ecclesiastes told us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時 (Ecclesiastes 3:1) ”. We may see tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, thinking that there is always tomorrow. We may see the season comes and go repeatedly, thinking that there always another season to come. But, have you ever thought about that there is ONLY one opportunity that is the most important to our life, my dear friends? It is the opportunity to know God and receive His precious gift – His son Jesus Christ – as your personal savior. May you grab this lifetime opportunity before it is too late!