Don't let opportunities pass you by!

We have all had opportunities to be a blessing to someone in life, it's whether we have taken them. I know I can look back over the years that God has prompted me to give to a certain person,  I reasoned myself right out of being a blessing to that person. I am not in condemnation over it,just move on. I want to learn to walk in a greater degree of taking those opportunities for the next time. It's not always about giving someone money, it could be your time, it could be just listening or helping them do something.The point I am trying to make is when  God is prompting you to do something, it is important thing to not let opportunities  pass you by!  When Jesus is LORD of your life, not just SAVIOR,  you want to be obedient,so you are sensitive to do as he leads you. It's not about just doing as we please,we have to be stretched in area's to grow! Its doing things, or staying in places that other wise we would of walked away from, but now letting God do the work to have greater opportunities in someones life !

I can look back at certain times when I walked away from a job, a church, a friendship, why because it rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like what it was doing to me,(self ) not even considering to ask God what do you want me to do in this "situation". I have not arrived in this area, but I have certainly grown, by His Grace and my willingness to change! I want JESUS TO BE LORD in my life ! I do take the time now to ask the Lord, what would you want me to do in this situation!

We should be sensitive to God's prompting for these opportunities, why because you may be the only person close enough where you are to give that person what they need. It may be now not later, later maybe to late. It may not always be convenient for us,  most of the time when God prompts us to do something it's not ! He does it purposely to us so it stretches us, to use our faith, and walk in love ! OUCH ! It does hurt the flesh lets be honest.

A few years ago when I was working at the grocery store, my manager at the time was a women who had not had the best of life, there was no joy to be seen in her life! .Her approach to mange us girls was really rubbing me the wrong way, she was like a strict school master!  I like working with people, I am very easy person to get along with. I do take orders well . I believe when you work somewhere "respect" your bosses, and even more as a christian you are representing the LORD! I started coming home  shortly after and complaining to my husband,everyday ! I had taken  this job, believing God had directed me to take it.I had 2 interviews and I "asked" him which job should I take, I believe he prompted in my spirit to take the one at the grocery store. I soon forgot this when I started to get rubbed the wrong way and it wasn't convenient for my flesh.

In the book of Philippians 4:11 Paul said he learned to be content in every situation in life, with plenty or in need, now that is what ever area you are in in life. We all have had times like that, and we have to trust the Lord in every way ! Paul said " I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHEN ME.

I was really considering to quit, I liked the nature of the job, I liked the girls I worked with, just not my manager! I did take it to the Lord, and I felt Holy Spirit tell me to stay and LOVE her! I knew at this point in my walk I could not let this opportunity pass. When you know it's a direct prompting from God you can't walk away from it that easy. Its what's on the other side of that opportunity that can really be blessing to you and most of all to that person. I didn't really like the answer, I knew at this point in my walk with the Lord the Love walk was an important part , Love is the battery to every principal that we try to operate, it will challenge your character !

I did stay, I loved her, with the love of the Lord! I was taking the opportunity, and I did see the fruit of it, "big time". I was there almost 5 years, and through the years her and I became friends, not on the phone going out friends, but friends at work. She knew I was a christian and my belief in Jesus, I got to share with her, pray with her on occasion's. I brought her to a full gospel meeting that my husband was involved with at the time, I  brought her to a special meeting at church. I drove her home on occasions. I remember this one time at work when no one was around I prayed with her, and I will never forgot what she said to me. She "said I was such a good friend to her and how she really appreciated me". I did at this point have a true love in my heart for her, it was the love of the Lord. I believe the moment I said yes to the Lord I will take this opportunity to love her and show her Christ in me, His amazing Grace showed me how to love her. I was the only person at that time to give her what she needed, only God knows the sadness in her heart she felt, and how she needed a friend, a friend at work!. She was not  close to any one person at work, I did pick that up with her, but the Lord had a different plan and I am so thankful I didn't pass it up, it taught me as well a big lesson in love !

The important thing is if left up to us it would be never the right time to give to a person, we would start to think I have this bill payment coming up, I am short this month I cant swing that, I just can't see myself even talking and spending time with that person.  I cant stay at this job, or this church its just not going the way I planned. Jesus said offenses would come, opportunities for offense come with different personalities!I know I have many opportunities to be offended, I am learning  not to take the opportunity to be offended, but to be the opportunity to be a blessing to someone ! It always turns out better for everyone! Jesus is looking to change us, rather than remove us from tight places, Jesus never promised it  would always be comfortable! It is possible to do this when he is Lord of our life!