Grace and peace, church family. I pray this finds you well.

Nycki and I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Maine, which is where my wife was born. It was my first visit, and I have to admit that with temperatures in the low 70s, cool ocean breezes and absolutely no humidity, I found myself thinking more than once, “This has to be what heaven feels like!”

It was a refreshing week of slowing down, enjoying God’s creation, eating more lobster rolls than I can count and simply being together.

One of the many highlights of our trip was visiting Bar Island, just off the coast of Bar Harbor. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been. For only a few hours each day, the tide recedes and reveals a natural land bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Hundreds of people make the walk across, exploring the island while they can. But there’s one important rule: Don’t lose track of time. The ocean always comes back. Miss the window, and you’re stranded until the next low tide.

As we walked across that rocky path, I couldn’t help but think how often life works the same way. God places opportunities before us that are meant to be seized while they’re in front of us. A conversation with a friend. An invitation to encourage someone who is hurting. A chance to forgive. A prompting to serve. An open door to share the hope of Christ.

Those moments don’t always wait for us.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

I wonder what opportunities God may place in front of us all this week. Perhaps it’s someone we’ve been meaning to call, an invitation we’ve hesitated to extend, or a quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit we have been putting off. Whatever it is, let’s not assume the opportunity will always be there.

May we be people who walk closely enough with Christ to recognize the moments He gives us, and courageous enough to step into them before the tide changes.

Blessed to walk alongside you all!

— Mark