Oh No!! Did I Miss that Opportunity?

Hasn’t this fall shown us some of the most beautiful colors? A few weeks ago, I thought that the colors around here were not going to be as vivid and vivacious as in the past. I was sorely mistaken! My timing was all wrong!

On our travels to South Boston, VA each week, I saw some beautiful plants along this one section of the road – both yellow and deep red in color. Oh, how I wanted to stop and get some pictures, but there was always a reason I couldn’t. In a week or so, those colors began to change and look less vivid and dull than when I first saw them. I was so saddened to have missed them because they were different from the foliage of the trees in this area. A missed opportunity! The same thing happened again along our South Boston route with another section of trees. Another missed opportunity!

Then I got frustrated with myself and began stopping whenever I saw a particularly beautiful tree. You wouldn’t believe how many pictures I have on my phone! These colors in the past week have been outrageously beautiful! Very intense and dramatic!

Today I felt God’s words in my spirit. He reminded me that when He gives us opportunities, it is up to us to seize them or He can find someone else to give them to. Gulp! I swallowed hard on that one. Using the trees as an example, He was showing me that when I didn’t stop to get the pictures at the perfect time, I missed an opportunity which He had designated as the "perfect time".

Now God gives us more opportunities than taking pictures of beautiful trees! They usually involve “being the presence of God” to others. Doing something in service for others – that kind word, smile, brief stop in their store to say “hello”, a visit; walking them to their car to say “goodbye”. It could also include having a conversation with another about what God has done for you; about what God can do for him/her; about God always being here and never leaving us; about God’s track record of being with us through every difficult step forward and every pleasurable joy.

Next time you feel that God is showing you an opportunity to be in service for Him, I urge you to take it. Missed opportunities are just that – missed – and may not come around again. God knows that you have what it takes to be that “presence of God’ to others. So take it and do it! No one else can do it exactly the way you can, and that’s why God wants you!

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5 (NLT)

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel