“Value the opportunities you’re given. They will affect more than you can see right now.” –Melody Lavin
I saw how this quote from social media was applicable to my life, especially this week. Every day, opportunities, both big and small, present themselves in our lives. We usually have a free choice with these opportunities, where we can either say “yes” or “no” to them. Sometimes we never know the impact of our “yes” or “no” to opportunities that present themselves. Our answer can have a ripple effect either immediately or possibly years later, either in our personal lives or in the lives of others. Our decision could also impact someone’s life, possibly someone we don’t even know directly. I think that is the beauty of our faith and trust in the Lord, as we remind ourselves that He is always working everything out for our good. There is more to life than just our little world. Some day we might learn more about the impact we have had on others’ lives when we are in heaven.
Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” –Luke 14:15-24 (NIV)
This parable of the Great Banquet highlights the importance of taking advantage of opportunities that are put in our path daily. How many times do we, like those mentioned at the beginning of this story, make excuses for not taking advantage of an opportunity? Maybe we are too tired to reach out to someone, we think we are too busy already, or we put things above God. If we see God at work in our lives, bringing opportunities to us, and take advantage of them, I believe we will be living a more fulfilling life in union with the Spirit. Often, the opportunity might be something outside our normal comfort zone where God is stretching us for more growth.
Photo courtesy of Ken Whytock under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)
As I reflected on some opportunities I see God providing in my life, here are a few that came to mind:
*Opportunity to share my books with strangers
It was an opportunity I was grateful for that began during the pandemic when I was able to work at home. It gave me more time and freedom to visit church more often once some of the restrictions were lifted. One day I walked up to a stranger there and awkwardly handed him one of my books. Much to my surprise, two days later he emailed me, thanking me for the book and sharing some spiritual experiences. The next day, we met after church to talk about the Holy Spirit and ministries in our lives. It was the beginning of a thirteen-month spiritual bond as we continued to share more. About six months after I met him, he found out he had cancer and died about six months later. I attended his funeral, which was out of town, and met his mother at that time, sharing a book with her and explaining who I was. It is a great blessing to keep in touch with her every month or so. She is a joy and has enjoyed the stories of her son that I have shared.
I never dreamed that giving a book to a stranger would lead to a spiritual friendship and the ripple effect of meeting his mother, who is a sweetheart to know and visit with. It has given her comfort knowing how her son’s life and mine impacted each other as we shared our faith. It blesses me to share, as I remember him too.
*Opportunity to speak at a library
An opportunity that was presented to me a week ago was to consider speaking at a public library. A dear friend of mine was scheduled to do some masterful storytelling that he is gifted with. Sadly, he was in the hospital, so he was unable to present. He graciously thought it would be an opportunity for me to fill in and share about being a self-published author. When he first mentioned it, my initial thought was “no,” I could not do it, as I had to be conscious of different faiths and needed to talk in more general terms. Much to my surprise, after asking a few people to pray for me and attempting to think of what I could say, I said “yes” to this opportunity. I was still working on the script right up until it was time to go. It was a bit disappointing that only two people attended, one of whom is a faithful encourager of my writing journey and another who came to see the storyteller without realizing the schedule changed. I proceeded with my talk anyway and tried to trust that whoever was supposed to be there was. Both ladies were willing to share related personal stories, which is always a blessing for me. My friend felt led to purchase a book for the person, so I trust that God will somehow encourage this lady in her faith journey with either something I said or what she reads.
I never dreamed I would feel peace to step out in faith to speak at a public library at the last minute. I knew it was important to not focus on the numbers but trust that God had His reasons for only two people attending. It was most important for me to be obedient to this opportunity.
*Opportunity to take time to visit with a friend
Relationships with people in our lives, particularly on this spiritual journey, are so important. I have learned that, especially these last few years, as God has provided more “family” for me through these friendships. I try to reach out to people to keep connected. Recently, one such friend and I went to breakfast at a place we had never been to before. In an only God moment, a few minutes after we were there, in walks a couple I know! What are the chances the wife said my friend looked familiar? This wife knew some of her children since she was an aide at their school when the children were little. My friend and I took one car, and on the way home, I told her how much growth I have seen in her in the last few years. I see her faith growing stronger and more confident as she looks at the bright side of even harder situations. We don’t talk too often, so I was surprised when she shared that she feels a lot has to do with her reading my weekly reflections and books. I said it was funny how we impact each other’s lives. What a blessing to be able to share our hearts with each other.
I never dreamed taking advantage of an opportunity to visit with a friend would lead to both of us sharing how thankful we were for the other’s presence in our faith journey. What a blessing to be reminded of the importance of our lives and the impact we have on each other.
Photo courtesy of skyandsea876 under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
Be encouraged this week to…
…value the opportunities that come your way.
…know that your “yes” can have a greater impact than you can see.
…see the opportunities where you can be stretched in faith to step out of your comfort zone.
…make a list of the opportunities you see God giving you.
…see if you answer “yes” or “no” more to the opportunities presented to you.
…create an opportunity to encourage someone.
Can you take a few minutes to reflect and share an opportunity you saw God provide in your life? Did you see how saying “yes” impacted you or another person? Thank you in advance for sharing in the comment section below.
Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in the family of faith! –Galatians 6:10 (TPT)
