We have learnt earlier that your diligent labour, natural endowment, and professional training are not enough to guarantee you an advantage or success in life. We know that usually, time and chance happens to all men.
Those who gain a competitive advantage in life are those who manage their time and opportunities well.
Time is both the chronos (sequential time) and Kairos (the opportune time); and opportunity is the situations and circumstances that life throws at you. Some of these will come as trials, tragedies, and triumphs. I must assure you that each faces his own challenges and opportunities; but how well you handle these situations will determine how you would fare.
7 opportunities that you should not miss are;
1 Standing up with and for the people of a God in the face of trials and tragedy
David gained national recognition because he stood for the people of God. Esther was celebrated because she stood with the people of God.
By default reaction, many of us run into hiding or freeze with fear when chaos and tragedy strikes, but the secret to a competitive advantage is to stand up for and with the people of God.
God is waiting for that man or woman who will stand tall and stand strong in the trying and challenging times of the church. God is waiting for the Elijahs, who would stand against false and pseudo religion. Where are the men who are ready to storm Mount Carmel and challenge falsehood.
2 The opportunity to build churches and chapels
A centurion in Capernaum received a miracle for his servant because he built a synagogue for the people of God.
Luke 7:1-5 KJV — “Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. [2] And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.”
[3] “And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. [4] And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: [5] for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.“
3 The opportunity to do good to widows and orphans (especially people of the household of faith)
Do you remember the story of Tabitha; a whole city refused to bury her, and can you imagine, they rather sought help to bring her back to life, all because she was full of good works and almsdeeds. May the Lord give you the grace to be full of good works and almsdeeds! Receive what it takes!
Acts 9:36-41 KJV — “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. [37] And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.”
[38] “And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. [39] Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”
[40] “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.“
We know that if we don’t get weary in well doing, we shall reap the good fruits of our sowings!
Galatians 6:9-10 KJV — “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.“
Indeed, true religion and undefiled is to do good to widows and orphans.
James 1:26-27 KJV — “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. [27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.“
4 The opportunity to serve others with your gift even when they don’t have the money to pay!
Joseph had the opportunity to stand before the king because he served with his gift in prison. Neither the king’s baker nor the butler had money to pay for Joseph’s services, yet he served them anyway. Let us learn to serve others with our gifts! Let your motto for life be “I have to serve.” Serve like a servant; serve without expecting recognition. Those who serve become great among the rest. Serve without rubbing it in our faces.
5 The opportunity to respond to a calling or assignment
Our Lord Jesus Christ responded to the call to read the scriptures in church. Though he nearly lost his life, responding to the call to serve is one of the gateways to miracles and greatness.
Luke 4:16-28 KJV — “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. [17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,”
[18] “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, [19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
[20] “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
[22] “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? [23] And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.”
[24] “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. [25] But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;”
[26] “but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. [27] And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. [28] And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath“
Jesus Christ always responds to the call to serve. He never turned down a request to pray for the sick or respond to distress.
6 The opportunity to check up on someone
David found his wife and children because, he cared enough to check on someone who appeared to be dead.
The Samaritan became famous because he cared enough to check on a man attacked by robbers.
Reihnard Bonnke received an impartation because he checked on the great miracle worker George Jeffery.
Don’t miss the opportunity to check on someone.
7 Don’t miss the opportunity to honour and serve a father.
Isaac demanded an honour so that his soul may bless Esau. Many of us have missed the opportunity to have risen to greatness because we missed the opportunity to honour and serve a father or an anointed man.
There are some doors, if it gets shut because of a poor attitude; no amount of apologies can reopen it.
Stay blessed
