Opportunity Knocks

Did you wake up this morning? Are you able to read this post? (Guess so huh) With the rising of the day came a brand new opportunity. Doesn’t matter if you are going to the same old job, coming home to the same family, or being challenged by the same old situation. You have been granted an opportunity. An opportunity to  grow, learn, think or act differently. Who knows if the opportunity will come to you again. What will you do with it?

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations” – Charles R. Swindoll

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”- Anthony Robbins

“Most people don't recognize opportunity when it comes, because it's usually dressed in overalls and looks a lot like work.”-Thomas Alva Edison

"Four things come not back: The spoken word, The sped arrow, The past life, The neglected opportunity."Arabian Proverb

Access Granted...

Those two words were the first thoughts embedded in my mind when I awoke Sunday morning. Access granted…the phrase was not just a passing thought but words that seem only to become more vivid in my spirit throughout the day. Because I learning to capture my thoughts (not just the negative ones but even those that God speaks), I jotted it down in my journal and went about getting ready for Sunday morning service. While driving to church, I heard within me that I really didn't understand fully what the significance of those two words meant. So of course I questioned, Lord what do you mean? When access is granted, it means that places you couldn't previously gain entrance into are now open. He reminded me that some areas or arenas have been straightly shut up and they remain closed despite the amount of physical effort exerted. And even regardless of the amount of time spent in spiritual exercise. I know that statement might be a little controversial but that's what my Father revealed to me. Am I saying that things like prayer, fasting, or reading the Word don't work? Absolutely not! Those exercises discipline us and get us in proper position for when the door is opened. But until God chooses to open the door, it remains shut.

Even as I was sitting in the sanctuary, He began to continue the discourse by adding an object lesson. My attention was drawn to a door that was partially opened. From my seat I could see a small part of the room contents but the largest portion was not viewable. The door was not only unlocked but it was opened partially but in order to partake of the rooms contents I would have to choose to walk through the door. Had the door been locked I couldn't have accessed it contents because I do not possess the key to unlock.

Access granted provides the ability to get some things done where previously you hadn't been able to do so. The American Heritage dictionary defines access is the a means of approaching, entering, exiting or making use of or the right to to approach, enter, exit, or make use of. Grant means to consent to the fulfillment of or to accord as a favor, prerogative, or privilege. In essence those two words were announcing to me that I've been given consent or privilege to enter, exit or make use of some things or places that I hadn't been allowed to previously.

Those two words were inescapable all day. Even as I took Bella outside to potty, the clouds began to illustrate the point even further. A darker gray cloud was positioned in front of brighter white but in a certain place there was a window of space in the gray cloud allowing one to see the brighter cloud behind it. However, as the gray cloud moved along the window of opportunity to see the brighter cloud became smaller and smaller to all access was gone. The bright white cloud still existed but I could no longer see it because the Creator had closed up access to it.

Perhaps He was reminding me that access granted doesn't last forever. While I don't fully understand what it is that is being opened up for me to enter, exit or make use of, my prayer is that I don't miss it. May He grant me a spirit of wisdom, knowledge, and revelation. When the door is made plain to me, Lord please give me the courage to enter in. In Jesus name~ Amen

Open to Opportunity

Opportunities are around us daily. Opportunities to choose joy over sadness, to try something new over being stuck in the mundane, to walk in obedience, to touch the life of someone else, or to share the good news of the Gospel. Chances to rejoice rather than complain are available. Occasions to smile instead of frown. You know opportunities, big or small; our lives are full of them.

When I look back over my life, I wonder just how many opportunities have I missed. Much of my life has been lived out confined into a small, safe box, in a way. Having been the shy, introverted type didn’t lend itself to exploring new frontiers. Stifled by the fear of rejection and insecurities, I lost chances to meet and fellowship with new people. At times, I failed to obey the voice of God, preventing Him from revealing Himself to me in new ways. Immobilized by the fear of failure or fear of what others might think, I didn’t take the chance of engaging in new activities. Being so self-absorbed and consumed with the “what-ifs”, I neglected to share a word of encouragement that could have rendered aide to a fellow brother or sister.

I heard a lady once say that Passing Over Opportunities Repeatedly leaves you POOR. And I must agree. Hearing the word poor, we might immediately think of it economic terms but it simply means less than what is normal, necessary, or desirable; or low quality. Not seizing opportunities for new relationships can leave you with a low quality of companionship and less than normal chances for growth. For iron sharpens iron. As we walk in obedience, our faith increases. Lately, I’ve began to step out in small areas of obedience and I’ve seen my confidence in not only God’s willingness to use me but His great desire to use me in service to Him. He wants to use me, despite my insecurities and my personal temperament.

You may find that like me, you have overlooked a few opportunities. Don’t despair. Every day that you awaken you are given the chance to begin again. The same ones do not always come around again but rest assured that if you’re living, God is opening doors of opportunity to you each and every day. It’s up to us what we do with them.

I found a few keys in maximizing opportunities:

1) Conquering fear –some things you have to do afraid.
2) Being alert/aware- live consciously knowing that opportunities are available daily
3) Obeying God’s voice/word
4) Preparation – it’s too late to get prepared when opportunities present themselves.

A few scriptures to meditate on regarding opportunities:

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)

Ephesians 5:11-16 Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.
Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! (The Message)


Colossians 4:4-6 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them. Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. (The Message)


Mark 13:9 When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. (NLT)


Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (NLT)

Lord, forgive me for all the times I failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented to me. Open my eyes that I might see the opportunities all around me. And give me the courage and boldness needed to not only see but seize every God given opportunity. Amen

Now go in peace and may you enjoy a blessed weekend. Be sure to check out other "o" related topics in the A-Z challenge.