Opportunities.
I knew that when I started reading the scriptures this morning that God was going to teach me a few lessons today and give me the opportunity to apply His word. I just knew it! I could feel it in my bones.
In Proverbs 24:32b you read the words, “I learned this lesson:…” This was pertaining to the writer having a normal everyday life experience and learning a lesson from what he saw. I can so relate to these verses. Life is full of opportunities to learn lessons. In my classroom, I love to teach “life lessons”.
God provided me numerous opportunities today to share about His word in a way that wasn’t “preachy”. In class I referenced scripture (without directly quoting the verse) when I was discussing how I was going to grade an assignment and mentioned how the students should make sure that they not rush through it just to get it done, but to take pride in their work and always do their best. I told them that no matter what situation comes their way in life, always do your best. Well, Colossians 3:23 says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” This verse was on the forefront of my mind when I instructed the children to do their best.
God provided the opportunity for me to actually quote this same verse to my own children tonight during our dinner conversation.
We move from learning a lesson in Proverbs to wanting more schooling from the Master in Psalms. In Psalms 119:26b-27a the Psalmist is vocalizing to God, “Now teach me your decrees. 27 Help me understand…” God taught me quite a few things today, and He helped me to not only learn from Him, but to apply what He has taught me. Today I learned and applied lessons regarding grace, forgiveness, and patience when I conference with each child regarding their grade at the end of the nine week period.
The word “opportunity” keeps surfacing over the past two days for me. Just yesterday when I was speaking with my father-in-law on the phone, he talked about how God gave him the opportunity to witness to a man in Kentucky.
Last night after posting my students current grades I typed a note and included the sentence, “I have given you plenty of opportunities to complete the assignments.”
And then, tonight I came home to finish reading God’s word (that I didn’t finish this morning) and In Colossians 3:2-6 Paul scribes the following:
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Here’s the deal, God gives us opportunities in life for learning and sharing. Opportunities present themselves to us all the time, we just may not recognize them. I’ve discovered that when I specifically pray for God to give me the opportunity to share His love and word with someone, AND to make me aware of it, He always does.
Don’t be afraid of what may come out of your mouth, because if God provides you with the opportunity, He will provide you with the words to say. Yep, He’s cool like that.
Opportunity is knocking. Will you boldly answer?
Pray, be alert, be thankful, and share His message through your words and actions.
Blessings and God’s abundant love to y’all.
October 17