Tags
being real, Faith, fame, follow your calling, God's faithfulness, God's plan, identity in Christ, obedience to God, patience, perseverance, trusting God
On Fridays, Lisa-Jo provides the prompt, and we dive in headfirst with hearts and words. It’s a little game called Five Minute Friday. Won’t you join us?
Today’s prompt is OPPORTUNITY.
Ready?
– GO –
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What does opportunity look like?
Is it the applause of many, the chance to see and be seen, the big step up you’ve been holding your breath anticipating?
Or could it be that sometimes opportunity comes quietly, slips in through a side door and takes her seat without fanfare?
I’m learning — ever so slowly — that opportunity often presents in a way I would never have looked for.
carelinamia | flickr creative commons
The quiet prompting of the Spirit to stop, look, listen for His hand.
A gentle nudge to wait and think, to pray instead of leaping.
I want to grasp the things that scream of promise and attention and notoriety, to run headlong into the limelight when His voice beckons instead from the sidelines. I never thought I’d need this: the courage to not jump on every opportunity that comes my way, restraint and discernment to clasp what is best and let most of the good slip through my fingers.
I don’t always understand His version of opportunity, but I trust His hand.
Lately I’ve had the opportunity to say no, to slow down, to decline offers, to keep promises whose quiet importance far outweighs the other, shinier options. Although I don’t always understand His economy or His game plan, I know He has provided me with chances to do what is right and holy in His sight.
Sometimes opportunity looks like a spotlight, and sometimes it whispers from the back row. Lord, please give me the courage to sit in shadow with You and honor Your name.
phil dowsing creative | flickr creative commons.
– STOP –
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So what does opportunity look like to you?
Has God presented you with an opportunity
that looked different than you expected?
I’d love to hear your story! Please leave a comment below,
connect with me on Facebook or Twitter, or let’s chat via email:
{graceformymess} at {gmail} dot {com}.
Linking up with Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama
Love this. You spoke to my heart so deeply. Thanks friend. Truly beautiful.
Oh thank you. I’m so grateful for you, for the truths you share so freely on your blog. Sending warm, Texas-sized hugs today, Alia Joy.
“Sometimes opportunity looks like a spotlight, and sometimes it whispers from the back row.”
I am learning this, Jana. Learning that opportunity is almost always disguised as something else…at least it seems that way.
This is beautifully written and touches my heart.
Thank you.
Mary
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com/
The opportunities God gives are so often wrapped in unfamiliar packaging. I’m learning to look deeper and trust the hand that wraps each gift.
Thanks so much, Mary.
I love this. You are such a gifted writer, Jana! Thanks for sharing and speaking to my heart today.
Aww, I love your heart, Jamie! Bring it over any time.
Oh, so many opportunities that looked different than I imagined! And as I get older and (hopefully) closer to the heart of God, my definition of opportunity changes, too. Less about me, more about His fame, His glory, His plan. Beautiful words and thoughts this morning, my friend!
Learning when to say and no to opportunity is freeing and it sounds like you are planted right there beside her fragrant breeze. Nice FMF.
Sometimes i think we need to very prayerfully consider opportunity. For me, I need God’s guidance to show me if it’s truly ‘opportunity’ or just ‘temptation,’ or if the opportunity glorifies me or Christ. Excellent post today, my friend. You always give me much food for thought. Be blessed!!!
Oh goodness girl – you are speaking the language that God is speaking to me at the moment. “I never thought I’d need this: the courage to not jump on every opportunity that comes my way, restraint and discernment to clasp what is best and let most of the good slip through my fingers.” I want opportunities to DO, but God is saying it’s my opportunity to discern where I need to say NO! The power of a no, when you are a yes saying person, is SO hard. Thanks for this beautiful confirmation. Blessings for your sweet weekend.
http://www.positivelyalene.com/
Hi Jana…Ialways enjoy reading what you write on Fridays. I read yours first before I even begin; however….we weren’t even close this morning.
I really like your perspective on “opportunity.” Like you, I have over the years had to learn that it is okay to say “no” to what we think is opportunity, but is it really what God wants for me? I’m going through this right now. As my health improves, I am feeling a little complacent and want to get back into the church life. I’ve had bad experiences, so there is a little fear lurking, but I’m praying and believe God is giving me direction and timing….I don’t have to be in a hurry. One thing I know is….don’t get in a hurry…slow down and enjoy each moment of each day, as far as it depends on me.
I still have questions…slow learner…but would again like to know how to link up what I blog on Fridays with thegypsymama. Also…pictures? Where do you get these, and are they posted within the 5-minutes?
Love you from afar!
laura
Thanks for sharing Jana! You seem so sweet and solid in the Lord. I loved reading your perspective on opportunity…actually my first thoughts were the same, but I went a different direction on my Five Minute Friday post. I agree, not opportunity is one to jump on. It takes far more courage to wait and let some pass by. But it builds character and patience. And if we blow it and take on too much, that’s ok, too…another opportunity to build character and patience. Thanks again;)
Jana, this is so Spirit-led — turning all the lies and pressures of the world upside down! Oh, I love this so much, how the saying ‘no’ to what the world calls us to and ‘yes’ to the Father are gifts, opportunities to fully LIVE! Thank you, sister.
I stopped over here from FMF at Lisa Jo’s. So beautiful. It is so comforting to journey down the road of opportunity with other women. An amazing picture of community and fellowship gathered around His provision, discerning, thanking,wrestling, and writing about opportunity today, a gift. Yours is lovely.
Oh my, your example of humility here… God knew I needed to read this in this moment. God calling from the sideline… Wow! Just love! Courage to sit in the shadow with Him… I want that! Discernment to use our “yes”. Bowing low in order to go high in God…
“God, humble me, I pray.”
I love your heart here…
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