Its right in front of you. A great opportunity to share your faith in Christ, but you dont take it.

Did you know that you have something in common with Paul of Tarsus? Even the first centurys super evangelist had trouble with priorities at times. He was honest enough to tell us that he once walked away from an open door without sharing his faith.

Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13, NASB).

Paul is perplexed. His earlier visit to Corinth to correct problems had not succeeded. Jewish leaders had arrived in Corinth and tried to control the churchs leadership. They attempted to discredit Pauls ministry (2 Corinthians 3; 11:22). Paul knew he had to address the problems immediately, and planned to leave Ephesus and visit Corinth. However, after thinking about it, he changed his mind and decided to send a stern letter via Titus, his partner in ministry (2 Corinthians 1:15). Titus was to deliver the letter and meet Paul in Troas.

Troas was much more than just a meeting place for Paul and Titus. Paul had visited the city to preach the gospel (vs. 12), as was his primary concern when travelling (Acts 20:17-27). When he arrived, he found a door opened in the Lord, or, in other words, there was a warm reception to the gospel because the Lord had opened the hearts of many in Troas. The harvest was ripe and souls were hanging in the balance. But what happened next? Did Paul, the evangelist par excellence, take advantage of the opportunity given to him by the Lord of the harvest?

Strangely enough, he did so only in part.

Verse 13 explains what happened. Paul says that he had no rest in his spirithe was continually perplexed, agitated, even anxious. This resulted in an inability to focus on his present assignment. Why? First, Titus wasnt there and Paul feared for his well-being. Second, Paul was eager to hear about the Corinthian churchs response to his letter.

Basically he was torn between two priorities. Paul the pastor wanted to know of Titus safe return and the response of the Corinthian believers. Paul the evangelist saw the open door and knew that the opportunities to tell of Christ were at hand. Ultimately, Pauls pastoral heart won out, and he took leave of them and went to Macedonia.

Did he make the right choice? Granted, he did find Titus in Macedonia and the Corinthian church did receive his letter with open hearts (2 Corinthians 2:14; 7:5). So, was his concern premature and did it cause him to neglect an opportune moment for evangelistic harvest? Yes. In view of Christs ultimate command to preach the gospel to all nations and to avoid anxiety and seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:32-34), and in light of Christs own example in the Gospels (Mark 1:15; Luke 4:43), The choice was between better and best.

This passage can encourage believers today. Even Paul missed a God-ordained opportunity. Before we are too critical,  we must remember that, for Paul, the missed opportunity was the exception, not the rule. Can the same be said of us?

by Chris Schofield, manager of Prayer Evangelism and Church Renewal, North American Mission Board