Kublai Khan, grandson of the great Genghis Khan, and ruling head of the various Mongol princes over an immense empire, asked Marco Polo's father Nicolo and uncle Maffro to send missionaries to teach him and his people Christianity. But the Polos upon their return to Europe found the Papacy in turmoil and political maneuvering, trying to select a new Pope. The turmoil and upheaval within the Papacy resulted in no missionaries being sent, and the opportunity lost.
Each day we are faced with opportunities, but often miss them because of being preoccupied with other things. Churches have opportunities to impact their community with the gospel, but often they become preoccupied with minor things. The church must "keep the main thing the main thing". In other words, we must never allow the minor issues of life to sidetrack us in our mission of outreach and grace.
The apostle Paul even encouraged the Corinthian believers to be united and focused. He said, "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you." (1 Corinthians 1:10a) When divisions, quarrels, and problems arise in the fellowship, we must quickly work to settle them in Christian love in order that we can take advantage of our opportunities to witness and win others to Christ. That's "keeping the main thing the main thing."
