God gives us opportunities, what will we do with them?

This powerful examination of 2 Kings 11 confronts us with one of Scripture's most disturbing narratives while revealing profound truths about the choices we face daily. At the heart of this passage lies a grandmother so consumed by power that she murdered her own grandchildren to secure the throne, contrasted sharply with another woman who risked everything to hide and protect the infant Joash, preserving the messianic line. We're challenged to recognize that hatred or love is a choice everyone must make, and that our decisions reveal whether we're living selfishly or selflessly. The message cuts deep as we consider how modern selfishness manifests in families, whether through neglect, absence, or prioritizing personal desires over the well-being of those we claim to love. Romans 13 reminds us that love does no harm to a neighbor, a standard that exposes the difference between struggling with sin and habitually harming others. This isn't about perfection but about the pattern of our lives. The call extends beyond family to our faith communities, asking whether we truly love the lost, welcome visitors, and protect unity, or merely claim to. As we reflect on opportunities God places before us, we must discern whether they're invitations to serve or temptations to stumble, always remembering that God specializes in using moldable hearts to accomplish His purposes.