Russell H. Conwell tells the story of a man who wanted diamonds so badly that he sold his property and all of his possessions in order to finance his search for a diamond mine. As I remember the story, the man died disappointed and penniless. The one who purchased his property, however, discovered that there was a rich diamond mine located right in his backyard. The diamond hunter has “acres of diamonds” right on his own property, yet he sold the property to go searching for them somewhere else.

I'm not sure whether the story is true or not. Supposedly, it was told to Conwell by his Arab guide and the guide assured him it was true. The story does, however, serve as an anecdotal illustration of our need to be alert to and aware of the opportunities that exist at our very fingertips.

This past Wed. night Ron Fairchild spoke to us about using what we had. Do you remember the boy with 5 loaves and 2 small fishes (John 6:9)? Andrew asked “What are they among so many?” (John 6:8) By themselves they are nothing. In the hands of Jesus that can feed 5,000 until they're full and still have leftovers. As brother Ron said, the key is not to focus on what you don't have, but use what you do have. Put whatever you have into the hands of Christ and watch what He will do with it and with you!

Each of us has veritable acres of resources and opportunities at our very fingertips. What are we doing with them?

My father believed very strongly in using every type of media he could get his hands on for spreading the Gospel. He produced daily and weekly radio programs for decades. He made his own filmstrips and slides to use in illustrating his sermons and Bible classes. Chalk boards, magnetic boards, flannel graphs, anything he could get his hands on to use to illustrate the lessons, he would try. If he could see all of the audio, video and print resources that I have available today he would be astounded. He had a whole room full of equipment and supplies in order to produce what I can now produce on a single laptop or desktop computer! It's just amazing.

The problem is this: I often fall into the trap of constantly looking at new technology and then thinking, “Whoa... If I just had that...” Stop right there! Am I using what I have now to the fullest extent I can? Usually the answer to that question is no. Like mom used to say, “Eat what's on your plate and then you can have some more.”

Sit down for a moment and think of all the resources and all of the opportunities that each one of us has available to us right now! We each have acres of opportunities right in our own backyards. Add to this, the resources that the congregation makes available and we have enough opportunities to keep us busy for the rest of our lives.