Opportunity is knocking at my door. Do I open the door and let it in? Do I ignore it and let it pass me by? Do I procrastinate and say, “Maybe tomorrow?” Do I allow excuses to interfere?
Nope! I’m goin’ for it!
The older I get, the more I want to take life by the horns and live it up!
I may be biting off more than I can chew. That remains to be seen. But, come what may, no one will be able to say that I didn’t try. As I make myself available, I leave the plans up to God. I also trust Him to supply the energy and the passion to see it through. His timing is always right I just have to be ready when He opens the door.
I’m in preparation mode. I hope that I don’t foul things up by interfering with His directions. I’ve done that before. You know how it is -- you zig when you should have zagged.
Some people may even think that it’s too late for me to attempt anything new at this time in my life. However, I like to think that it’s taken ALL of my past to prepare me for the opportunity that is now before me.
It’s always easy to sit back and say, "What’s the use? I’m too old now. I‘ve missed the opportunity for God to use me."
WRONG! These are just excuses that will hinder you from making achievements that only you can make. You can do anything you want to do, but timing means everything. God’s timing that is.
I am working three jobs in order to acquire the needed funds to go on this mission trip. This has been a dream I’ve had for years. Suddenly, it has become the driving force behind everything I do.
What makes this dream seem to be so right for me are the struggles coming my way as I aim to make this dream come true.
It’s like giving birth, including labor pains, a necessary part of the birthing process.
I have been given the opportunity to go to Jamaica with Servant Hearts Ministry. Only God knows how badly I want to go! I believe that He places desires and dreams within us. If indeed this desire had been embedded in my heart from Him, then He will make it happen.
Acquiring the needed funds happen to be my birthing pains. Everything imaginable is happening to me, costing me money. But, the worst thing that’s happened to me (although it’s not going to stop my pursuit), was losing everything I had saved to help someone who ended up taking advantage of me. Sometimes I’m just too nice and too trusting! As usual, I had to learn the hard way.
But, my God is a BIG God and He doesn’t quit nor give up!
The loss of funds has only served to make me more determined. So, onward I go, beginning from scratch, back at square one, as the deadline quickly approaches.
In addition to my full-time job, cleaning houses on weekends, a third part-time job that I can do at home opened up for me out of the blue, just when I needed it. Coincidence? Not in my book. I look at it as God’s provision and encouragement that I can go on. What seemed hopeless became, instead, hope renewed.
My car has totally quit running, so I walk everywhere. My other two jobs are within reasonable walking distance. I look at it this way -- having to walk increases my health and well-being, resulting in another way of preparation.
Mission trips are, after all, hard work and some chores require muscle!
Another opportunity that has been presented to me is Bible school, which I began this week. If I succeed in completing the 15-month school, I will earn an associate’s degree in biblical studies.
By God’s grace, I will achieve! These are the opportunities that currently lay before me.
The Lord places people in our lives to give a helping hand when it’s needed. Whenever He prompts me to give a helping hand, I respond to that need the best I can. If we’d all help each other out, more dreams could come true and no one would be in need or lack. That’s God’s way, but it’s our choice.
Here is a gem from God’s Word: “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full’, you will find yourselves cared for.” (Matthew 5 MSG)
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