Opportunities
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Opportunity is something that we usually desire yet often fail to recognize. Opportunity often comes when we least expect it wearing a disguise that makes it difficult to even realize that which has been offered to us. Opportunity often comes when we believe we are too busy, too poor, too broken hearted, or just otherwise distracted by the business of this life. When we speak of great opportunities, we typically are thinking about opportunities to be successful in our lives. We look for relationship opportunities, business opportunities, family opportunities, entertainment opportunities, and other opportunities. We look for these opportunities in a certain shape and form in which we expect them to arrive.
Sometimes we fail to recognize our best, God given opportunities because the opportunities don’t come in the form in which we expect them to come. Many times we have to be slapped in the face several times with opportunity before we even recognize the great blessing that we have been given.
Lot was presented an opportunity to be free from a wicked city. He was given an opportunity to grow spiritually in an environment away from the wickedness that had previously surrounded him.
Job was presented an opportunity to be one of the greatest encouragers of all time. If you are going through struggles and want are looking for strength, the book of Job has a message that can and has helped countless people. However, at the time I doubt Job realized the great opportunity he was being presented.
The apostles were given a great opportunity when Jesus told them to leave their boats and He would make them “fishers of men”. Leaving behind the boat, the nets, and everything to do with fishing doesn’t on the surface seem like a great opportunity for a fishermen, yet Jesus presented these men with the greatest opportunity they could have ever been given.
Opportunities often come in difficult circumstances. It is often the most difficult, most painful, and most horrible circumstances that God uses to provide us with opportunity. It is through these opportunities that we can grow in our faith, become stronger spiritually, and learn to trust God more. It is through these opportunities that we lean on the mighty arm of God and realize the reality that we cannot make it on our own.
Opportunities often come in the form of helping others, not ourselves. Rarely do we search out opportunities to help others, yet these opportunities are some of the greatest blessings that we are given. Regardless of the difficulties we are facing in our lives, we have opportunities to help others. It might come in the form of a simple word of encouragement. It might come in the form of a student willing to learn that we are able to teach. It might come in the form of a person in need of some physical thing that we have in abundance. Make no mistake...opportunities to give of our time, our encouragement, and our expertise are blessings not only to those we help, but are blessings to ourselves as well.
When we use opportunities from God, we grow spiritually, we become stronger, we are better equipped to help others, and we are happier than we would be otherwise. Let us seek out opportunities in the least expected places. Let us desire them, grow from them, help others through these great blessings God has given to us!
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"Opportunities often come in difficult circumstances." This quote could not be more true! Since the beginning of man difficult times have been used by our God to not only test us, but to define us. When heartache is heavy and hope appears dim, the measure of our innermost character will be revealed. It's in these unpleasant times that we as people learn to truly know ourselves, and often times it's where our flaws will become visible (which is a blessing in itself.). With that, there is never a time with more God given opportunity than when you are hurt. Pain usually comes when we receive something we felt we in no way deserved in return for our hardwork and commitment. Truthfully, we do not deserve even one thing in this world regardless of how right we live. There are no guarantees on this Earth. Our God has never been a God of handouts, but rather a loving God of opportunity, endurance, and growth. It is very important to understand that in order to keep our heads high and hearts hungry. When times are good, we feel no need to become better. When times are bad, we have a chance to see our shortcomings. Of course, that's if we CHOOSE to do so.
The beauty in our faith is we have the freedom to choose how we see things, and that certainly includes how we see hard times and the opportunities we have been blessed with in order to grow from them. It is very hard to see the good in a bad situation, which is why most choose not to. It requires a strong heart, along with clear eyes. Of which, one cannot exist without the other. As is revealed countless times throughout scripture, so long as we take heart and trust our faith, in due time we will certainly earn what God sees as truly right for us. God blesses us every single day with the opportunity to be who we want to be, and that in itself is enough hope to forever keep us pressing on in our lives. Sometimes a person seeing us take heart, keep our faith, and keep pressing on is all it takes to inspire them. Always remember that you never know who's watching you, so don't miss your chance to be someone's hero.
James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Ecclesiastes 7:3 "Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart."
Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
John 16:33 " In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Luke 21:19 "Stand firm, and you will win life."
Luke 1:37 "For no word of God will ever fail."Thank you for your amazing writing, I have been following it for a while now. I am new to this whole blogging thing, but tonight I felt the need to join in. Thanks again for your wisdom filled words. ~Riley Z
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Thank you for your comments. You have great insight on this topic that no doubt has come at a cost at one time or another. I am encouraged by your faith!
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@rileyz138 What an excellent post. I hope to read more from you!
