Opportunity

 

Opportunity

According to Merriam-Webster, opportunity is “a favorable juncture of circumstances” or “a good chance for advancement or progress.”

How often have you been faced with such a chance? Personally, too many times to count. The truth is, I can’t always say that I showed up. There were many times I felt the situation didn’t allow me to fully use the opportunity.

It’s important to understand that for an opportunity to be truly meaningful, it needs to be beneficial—either to yourself, to others, or both.

Let me put this into perspective: if someone hurts you, you have the opportunity to forgive. That forgiveness can bring healing to you, and it can also positively impact the person you forgive.

Maybe you want to improve your finances. In that case, an opportunity might present itself when you decide not to make an impulsive purchase—because you want to prioritize long-term goals over momentary wants.

What about the situations you prayed over, cried about, or felt completely confused by? Here, too, you can choose to walk in faith until you receive clarity.

What I’ve discovered is that opportunity often shows up after we encounter a situation that can become a significant changing point for us. I’m reminded of the movie Evan Almighty, when Morgan Freeman’s character speaks to Evan’s wife. She’s struggling to support her husband, who claims God told him to build an ark. In that conversation, she realizes that when we pray for our families, sometimes God gives us a chance—an opportunity—to draw nearer to them, which may present difficult choices.

When we seek God, we’re often presented with a moment—a chance, an opportunity—to show up. Sometimes God gives us answers freely, without much struggle. But often, spiritual growth requires stretching: the stretching feels unnecessary, the effort feels overwhelming, and the process can be painful. Yet, the result is deeply satisfying.

We tend to cherish what we had to work hard for. Some call it quality over quantity. When things come too easily, we may take them for granted. But those hard-earned blessings—we’re far more likely to value and protect.

Hebrews 12:11 (ERV) says:

“We don’t enjoy discipline when we get it. It is painful. But later, after we have learned our lesson from it, we will enjoy the peace that comes from doing what is right.”

So, as I remind you, I also remind myself: Troubles don’t last forever—not when God is directing my steps according to His purpose and His Word.

I may feel that showing up is unnecessary. It may give me a headache. I may feel pain while doing it. But when it’s over, I will be better because of it.

Encourage yourself in the Lord. Let that encouragement remind you that His will is always the best path. Just show up, and let Him do the rest. Like the ark—build it, and let Him fill it. Whatever that “it” is for you:

• Steady faith
• Blessed relationships
• Stable employment & finances
• Good health
• Provision & protection

Whatever your “SOS” may be—that’s your opportunity.