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“Ob portu!”

Jun 22, 2020 By: Kyle Timmons Topics: Opportunities, Good Works, Scripture: Galatians 6:10

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Now is the time.”

However, have you ever heard someone exclaim “ob portu!?” Most likely, not.

It is a Latin phrase basically meaning “opportunity.”

“Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:10

Long ago, before modern harbors, ships had to be patient and wait for the tide to make its way into a port before they could process in.

When a vessel wanted to enter it needed to approach the harbor slowly and wait with patience the exact moment to move forward.

If the vessel missed its moment they would have to wait for a longer period of time before trying again.

It is said that Shakespeare used this Latin concept in penning one of his most famous writings:

    There is a tide in the affairs of men,
    Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
    Omitted, all the voyage of their life
    Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
    On such a full sea are we now afloat;
    And we must take the current when it serves,
    Or lose our venture.

Shakespeare in Julius Caesar

The apostle Paul reminds us that we must take hold of the right opportunities as well to do good to one another.

Not only does he suggest that we have to take the right opportunities, but he states that we must take EVERY opportunity.

What opportunities will you have today to do something good for someone else?

May God give you your Ob Portu!