REINVENT YOU: DISCERN OPPORTUNITIES

So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Ruth 2:2

REFERENCE
Ruth 2:1-16

The Apple dictionary defines opportunity as ‘a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.’ It is also a good chance of advancement or progress. It is one of life’s greatest gifts to man. Moving from one step to another in life is often a function of the opportunities open to you, that you can discern and take advantage of. It is called opportunity because often, it doesn’t come the way you want it, doesn’t look the way you expect it, and will usually not offer what you dream of. However, it is an opportunity nonetheless, because it holds the key to open the door to the places you want to go.

Today, there is a strong desire to make money, to be famous and to be at the top of the ‘food chain.’ Therefore, many look for ‘finished products’ and would not even want to take up a job or an offer that isn’t so financially rewarding, or one that does not show them a ‘clear path’ to their ‘El Dorado.’ So, they miss great opportunities and sadly perpetuate a cycle of living in want and in regret. Yes, regret. Have you ever looked back at an opportunity you missed? A property that didn’t look promising, a suitor that was more of a liability or a job with a low salary – and then, you look again and all these turn around to be exceptional. God, knowing the potential of opportunity said, “Who has despised the day of small beginnings?”

David did not despise an opportunity to go give food to his brothers at the war front, guess what? it blazed a trail for him to the palace. Some fishermen left their fishing nets to follow an unknown Carpenter and He turned them to world changers – Fishers of Men per excellence. And the best for me is Ruth. She loyally followed and served an old widow who had no promise of a better life for her, into an unknown territory. Her job description: Wash my clothes, run my errands and always go out to get me food. How menial her tasks were, but it connected her to Boaz, to David and to Jesus Christ. Indeed, opportunity does not dress in royal robes.

As you plan to reinvent yourself, don’t let financial rewards be the ultimate goal. Use up the opportunity to volunteer in an office that may not necessarily pay you; work on a job that may not offer you an amazing salary, and to work under an intelligent, well-exposed boss that may be rough around the edges…and learn. Being in that office or apprenticing with that person can give you the opportunity to meet people, learn new skills, get a priceless training, or understand certain aspects of life and business. All these, on the long run, are worth more than money. All around us daily, opportunity knocks; a chance for advancement calls out. Unfortunately however, many people miss it; they are deaf to its summons. It is said that (of course, not always true with God), “Opportunity comes but once,” for that reason, your greatest prayer everyday should be, “God, open my eyes to see and my heart to discern the opportunities around me today!”

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Zechariah 4:10, Proverbs 8:1-4 & 11-19, & Matthew 4:18-22

PRAYER
Lord, open my eyes to see the opportunities you have laid up all around me today. May I not despise what looks ordinary by its simplicity and miss out on great breaks; help me to discern by Your Spirit and hear opportunity as it knocks on my door in Jesus’ name.