The scripture says in Ephesian 5:16-17 “Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
The above scripture gives us insight into how to live wisely. It describes the one who makes the most of opportunity as wise. In other words, if you want to know how to live wisely, take advantage and make the most of the opportunities that are presented to you.
An opportunity is defined as, a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. It is an appropriate or favourable time or occasion. There will always be opportunities presented in life. That’s how life works! The challenge is that many do not recognise the opportunities presented their way.
Opportunity comes in different forms and our ability to identify them is key our growth and success in life. Do you recognise the opportunities presented to you? There is a popular saying by Zig Zigler that “success is when opportunity meets preparation”. Opportunities are the platform for growth and success! Growth occurs when you identify and seize the opportunities that comes your way. In fact, growth is a combination of opportunities identified and seized. Nothing just happens, you have to make it happen!
Opportunities present themselves in many forms! “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison. Many people miss out on opportunities because they are usually disguised as hard work and so if you have a lazy mentality, you will miss it. If you love the comfortable and familiar, tendency is that you are walking past several opportunities on a regular basis!
The other challenge is that opportunities often present themselves when we are unprepared. What will you do in those instances? Will you excuse it away and console yourself, saying, “this is not the right time.” Or, would you step up and take a swing! Albert Einstein says, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” The experience gained from taking a swing and making mistakes whilst trying gives you the benefit of experience and learning whilst trying, which leads to growth.
There is another quote that says, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for its not thesame river and he is not the same man.”(Heraclitus). This connotes that everything is undergoing a consistent process of change; the river, like all things, is ever changing and is no longer the same when you step into it the second time around. You would have also changed by virtue of the experience of stepping into the river the first time round and you take the experience gained with you, when you next step into the river.
When we seize opportunities, we open ourselves up for fresh experiences and for growth, this is described in the above scripture as wise living and that is how God has called us to live. We are not to shrink away and hide from opportunities, we are to grab them because if you are a child of God, He is presenting you with opportunities for growth! Remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
The other part of the scripture says “Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of God is.” When you understand God’s will, it will be foolish, not to pursue it! Whether or not you are prepared is irrelevant; the opportunity is here and you have to seize it, jump in and give it a shot! Our attitude should be, ready or not, here I come!
An opportunity lost they say, is lost forever! However, God is merciful and gracious and will sometimes present us with another opportunity, like He originally gave us. Let’s be careful how we live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of opportunities!
