When Opportunity Knocks . . .

Theme: When Opportunity Knocks . . .

Verse: Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

We all have a set of talents. Many have extraordinary talents like being able to sing well, run fast, or stand up in front of a classroom and command the attention of the audience. Regardless of what our set of talents is, one common thing is true. We all are merely stewards of the talent(s) that God has given us to manage for HIS purpose.

Unfortunately, that is not exactly the prevailing sentiment in today’s culture. We tend to forget that we do not create our talents. Gog did! So, it is refreshing when we hear athletes give direct praise to their Creator in post-game interviews before they answer the question asked of them. It shows an element of humbleness while the showers of human accolades pour in after the race was won or the winning hit was stroked perfectly into the right center gap allowing the runner to come all the way around from 1st base to score (The latter was to get you ready for baseball season.).

Ok, now it’s time for a movie reference.

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) epitomizes gratefulness for opportunities. He described his life as his mother taught him, like a box of chocolates. “You never know what you are going to get!” While a simple-minded man, he was wise enough to know who he was and where he was spending eternity. That’s why it seemed such an easy task to do all the remarkable things he accomplished in his fictitious life; Football All-American, save his platoon in Vietnam (and win the Medal of Honor), build a shrimping empire, and run coast to coast several times.

He was genuinely grateful for each experience in a way so uncommon that it took on a comedic tone. But instead of seeing his life story as absurd, what if we were more like Forrest and considered the simplest of things gifts from God. What if we had the attitude each morning that by the grace of God, we wake to a new dawn with an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.

So, there is your challenge. As you go about your week, look for occasions to be grateful for the opportunities and talents God has gifted you and share how good our God truly is.

You may find the next dip into that box of chocolates is you being in the right place at the right time for someone!

Have a GREAT week!

Adapted from Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose by Andy Dooley