Opportunity exists all around us, we just have to be active at recognizing and responding. It’s sometimes the result of good planning and it’s sometimes being aware of seemingly random happenings. Regardless, there’s a moment when you have to be decisive, committed, and then have the courage to see it through.
I was reminded of this over the weekend while kayaking with friends during an annual trip. At one point in that journey, a kayaker in front of me was heading toward a point in the waterway where there were some logs that created a couple different obstacles. Faced with the decision to go left or right, he chose right as I began to veer left while behind him.
Then, he paused and tried swinging back to the left. It was too late. He got stopped in the blockage right there in the middle. He looked at me as I passed and said, “I made a bad choice.”
The reality, though, is that his choice to go right was not the bad choice. I think he would have cleared the log just fine. It was the choice to not commit to his path that was the bad choice in this instance. I would know… I made about two dozen similar “bad choices” during that trip and spent a lot of time fixing them.
Still, every moment forward presented a new opportunity. The choice of what to do with them was there for the making.
Every moment presents an opportunity. We can ignore it or use it to propel us forward. Recognize when God is ordering your life and using your history to establish pathways for what’s ahead.
From Floor to Windows to Doors
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. – 1 Corinthians 3:68 (NLT)
If you’ve read Listen Up Kids: Foolish Dreams, Syncing with God and Running to Win, you know that a meeting with Manny Ohonme had a big impact on my life. The understanding of how God orders our lives and turns our backgrounds – our history – into the pathways for what’s ahead is kind of profound when you think about it.
You see, as Manny explains in his book, Sole Purpose, he had not owned a pair of shoes until age nine. A missionary named Dave fitted him with his first pair and he took to playing basketball. He went on to earn a scholarship playing in the US while obtaining his college education. Then, his education led to a successful career followed by a transition into ministry. The window of opportunity was created with Manny being present to receive the shoes – an act of mercy on Dave’s behalf. It led to the opening of a door for a life that many in that circumstance only dream of having.
Manny later left his career to form and run Samaritan’s Feet, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing a message of hope and love by washing the feet of impoverished children and adorning them with new shoes. Another window in Manny’s background had become a door opened by God.
Opportunity When You Land on The Floor
In the early stages of Samaritan’s Feet, they brainstormed ideas to overcome the challenge of developing awareness. A crazy idea formed and an audacious request was made to then IUPUI men’s basketball head coach, Ron Hunter.
Manny suggested to Hunter that he coach a game in his bare feet to raise awareness of the cause. After laughing it off, Hunter realized Manny and his team were serious. He agreed and then had an even bigger laugh when they said they expect to generate the donation of 40,000 shoes.
Hunter was thinking more along the lines of 500.
Then, the window became a door. It produced great buzz in all sorts of media. The act resulted in the donation of 110,000 shoes, of which Hunter was able to participate in delivering to the recipients.
How to Identify an Opportunity from God
In Dead Poets Society, teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, encourages students to make life extraordinary. The mantra of “carpe diem” or “Seize the Day” is recited often as a rallying cry for action.
In Manny’s story, he speaks about being reluctant to take action – to seize opportunity – even though he clearly knew God had called him. I related to that, once paralyzed by fear, doubt, and concern over whether it was “a God thing” or a “Chad thing.” I still have doubts. When that happens, here’s what I try to remember:
- God is faithful to his word – The Bible carries God’s voice. I hear it when I read, study or listen to his voice. Jesus used the Old Testament text as God’s Word (Matthew 12:1-14). The New Testament is written with the authority of God’s words and are indeed scripture (2 Peter 3:16, Ephesians 2:20). Revelation, wisdom and assurances are frequent benefits of that practice.
- Big Things Require God – When Manny challenged Ron Hunter to see 40,000 pairs of shoes donated, it wasn’t a matter of Manny wanting that amount. Hunter thought 500 to a thousand at best. Manny knew a God sized challenge needs a God-sized goal. One where the accomplishment of it would result in something so grand, it can only be considered a “God thing” in the eyes of onlookers.
- God Assures You Along the Way. It may be words said by other people, an event in a parking lot, a chance meeting or something you never imagined, but God does indeed confirm your path. Look for it and respond to the call – seize the blessing of opportunity.