Opportunity

Okay…which thought will I share this time??? Well, let’s dish about missing the point. Let’s dish about missing opportunities. Let’s dish about misguided focus. You know, in this life we must continuously review our motives, our desires, the purpose of our efforts because it is oh so easy to be sidetracked from God’s true purpose for us and our daily actions. How often have I missed the opportunity to accomplish something great in a real, tangible moment because I’m focused on accomplishing something great in a future moment? This has probably happened more times than I realize. I want more. I’m sure many of us have shared this thought, this feeling. My question is this: Are we missing moments to be more, have more, do more,

TODAY because we are blindly striving for TOMORROW?

 

Now, I am a strong advocate for setting goals and dreams…and working hard to achieve them. However, I would like to become more sensitive to the moment I am currently in, as well. The Bible gives us many references to support the principle of taking advantage of the moments and opportunities before us RIGHT NOW. Do we realize that how we handle this moment, directly affects the next moment? Would you believe that if we glaze over today, we miss crucial preparation for tomorrow, thus risking tomorrow ever happening?

 

Let me further expound on my thoughts. Matthew 25:21 explains how we must first take care of that which we are given charge over TODAY in order to be found capable of more on TOMORROW. If I drive a 25 year old car, but I don’t wash it, don’t change the oil, drive it hard and reckless, just totally care nothing about the vehicle, then what proof do I have that I would treat a 2011 model any better? If I’m lazy on my job, half doing my work because it’s not the job I want…why would my supervisor entrust me with more responsibility, a promotion, the job I really want? Duh….

 

I mean really…I spend my days frustrated over what I haven’t achieved or the plans that I am diligently working on but see no fruit bearing…well, what am I doing regarding those things I have a measure of control over, those things I have already attained? Jeremiah 29:11 clearly describes how God already has a plan laid out for us. Matthew 25 tells us to not worry about tomorrow and how things will work out then. I think it is up to us to see it through. Why are we so busy tripping and over doing it for tomorrow when the moments of today are neglected and suffering? If a lady was pregnant with her second child, would she really spend all her time and money on the unborn baby yet totally neglect the child she already has? No, she nurtures and reassures and cares for the child she already has as she does the same for the child on the way. Perhaps she realizes that: 1) the new child is no more important or valuable than the first and 2) the lessons I learn with the first child increase my preparedness for the second.

 

Let us think of our lives this way. As we strive to make more of our lives, do more with our lives, let us not neglect the lives we currently have. In those consuming moments of frustration over what we aim to attain, let us not overlook, neglect a prime opportunity to succeed in THIS moment. Let us not miss this moment, these opportunities because we are so invested in the moments and opportunities of the future. I am learning that when I fully invest, commit, in this moment, take full advantage of today; then I am, in essence, better prepared for what is destined for my tomorrow.
 

Much love….

 

Why?????

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of the God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6

How many times have we heard the phrase “because I said so”? How many times have we found ourselves participating in an act without having first-hand knowledge of the reason WHY? How many times have we repeated or referenced something we heard (scripture, quote, statement, whatever) without knowing the origin? Far too often we are judged or thought of as disrespectful for asking “Why?” or “How do you know?” Wow…how contrary that could be to the Word of God. True, some things come from shear faith….but for those things that do not…..

Hosea 4:6 tells us that without knowledge, we are destroyed. I’ve enjoyed a few conversations on this topic and I have concluded that knowledge is power---but only if one also has the understanding to use the knowledge properly. A teenage knows that when you turn the key in the car’s ignition, move the steering wheel and press the pedals in the floor: the vehicle moves. That is knowledge. Until that teenager gains an understanding of how to effectively operate the vehicle, effectively utilize the knowledge they have, they cannot legally operate the vehicle.

When I think about all of us who have “been in the church” so long, I wonder how may of us have “knowledge” without understanding. The best way to accomplish something, consistently, is to truly understand the “WHY”. Every government law, office policy, class rule, etc. was established for a reason. In my opinion, once we understand the reason, the source, we are more likely to apply it without hesitation. The same applies to the spiritual life.

Take the time to reflect on your normal practices, habits, beliefs. WHY do you go to church on Saturday/Sunday? WHY shouldn’t you have sex with someone who isn’t your legal spouse? WHY do/don’t you exchange Christmas gifts? If your answer is “because someone said so” or “that’s how it’s always been” then I do believe you’re lacking understanding. I fall into the same category.

Perhaps if we understand why we do what we do, we are more content doing it and less likely to turn away.

A Helping Hand

I am sure we all are aware of opportunities to help another. Every day one can turn on a television, listen to the radio, look around our environment and see NEED. As a Christian, we are taught love, compassion for others; but how many of us understand that love and compassion are not simple feelings. Love, compassion requires works, action to truly be effective.

I vividly recall two small acts of kindness shown by friends. Once I was in a public park and the friend I was with had a bag with an extra Chick-Fil-A sandwich, and without provocation, handed the bag to a guy (who appeared homeless) in the park. Another time, I was with a friend and as we approached a traffic light he began reaching for loose change. I added a couple dollars to the couple he had, and he passed it all to a guy standing (with the familiar cardboard sign) in the median.

I know we can be untrusting and judgemental of those who are without, but one thing both my friends had in common was that it didn't really matter if the guy threw the sandwich away or dude blew the money on drugs or alcohol. What mattered was they showed love and compassion.

How many small acts of kindness do we overlook daily because we are too busy taking care of ourselves? Moments pass when we could show love or compassion without cost. Missionaries are more than the elderly ladies dressed in white with big church hats, more than the group traveling to Third World countries. Missionaries are you and me. The Word of God teaches us to go and share His love, to speak of His greatness, to love one another as He loves us. Difficult it may be because, honestly, it may go against our human nature, BUT whom He has made stewards, He requires to be good and faithful stewards.

True, prayer changes things -- but faith without the action is fruitless. Therefore, while we pray, let us not be afraid or hesitant to mentor the youth that the system says is hopeless; serve a plate of food to the person with dingy clothes and dirty hands; offer a sincere compliment to the arrogant or mean co-worker. I am guilty of having desire without action. Join me on a journey to change that, to positively influence somone, to take a step out of our world to help another in theirs.

Live blessed!
Me