"But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.'  And he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.  But some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.  And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, 'Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you.'  At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often to converse with him.  But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned."

I wonder if Paul, surrounded by the prison walls and despair all around him, realized how much of a ministry he was in.

Paul had a personal audience for a couple of years.  The governor, Felix called for him often.  He also has the opportunity to speak to the governor's wife.  All of this came at great price - Paul's freedom - but was Paul willing to give that up for the sake of his calling?

Paul has a choice here:  Either look at the poor circumstances and be sad about his station, or look at the great opportunity to preach the gospel message to powerful people.

We have that same choice today.  All of us have great opportunity to preach the gospel.  And all of us have great opportunity to focus on the negative.

Which will you choose?