Daily Thought for Monday, May 9th

May 9, 2011

When Opportunity Knows – Do You Answer the Door

“Opportunity is missed by most people

because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

-  Thomas Edison

Today’s Thought:

“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.” – Tom Peters

Today’s Question

Have you ever wondered why some people don’t ever seem to succeed?  “The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.” – Walter Chrysler

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“In affairs of importance a man should concentrate not so much on making opportunities as on taking advantage of those that arise.”

- La Rochefoucauld

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

- The Bible (Revelation 3:20)

The Christian often claims he/she wants an opportunity to serve: while more opportunities than one can imagine are staring them in the face.

“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” – Ann Landers

If you were to ask most pastors they would tell you there are more opportunities for service, more things that need to be done; than there are people to do them, or at least willing people to do them.

And even if no opportunity existed at all many times all that is needed is s desire coupled with willingness and an opportunity can emerge. Milton Berle said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

The problem with most of us Christians is we want quick-fix opportunities that require little effort on our part but bring great recognition and appreciation from others.

We need to remember Jesus example of servitude.  Remember, He washed the disciples feet in the upper room and He prepared food for them once He had risen from the dead.  And He did many other things that scripture tells us aren’t recorded for their would not be enough volumes to hold records of them all.  I have no doubt Jesus would have stopped to pull a thorn from a child’s foot or stopped on his journey to help a local farmer overturn an upset cart and restore all the was spilled to it’s proper place.  Jesus would stop and listen to a troubled soul, allowing them to share their burden, though He had somewhere to be and already knew what they needed.

God offers us many opportunities every day to make a difference in our world; the question is do we make the most of them, or do we let them pass us by.

If we really want to have an opportunity to do something meaningful for Him, we need to be ready by staying in the word and continuing always in prayer, praise and thanksgiving and He will bring the opportunity to us.  Whether it seems big or small in our eyes; every act of love is important to Him.

Just keep this in mind, “If you prepare, then the opportunities will take care of themselves.” – John O’Hurley

A right heart and a willing spirit make every opportunity a great one.

How many opportunities will you miss today?

Today’s Verses:

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.  He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Proverbs 10:4-5

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

                        Luke 11:9-10

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to seize each moment, embrace each day and make the most of every opportunity You send my way.