HOW OPPORTUNITIES COME

In the Gospel, Elizabeth found herself in a state of shock. One that caused her to ask Mary the question which forms the basis of today’s discourse:

How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:43)

In other words, why have I been given the opportunity/privilege to be in the same space as the mother of my Lord?

There are some who are concerned, even afraid to step up when opportunities arise. Surely, it is worth noting that not every opportunity is an advantage, and not every open door is a promotion because even the prison has doors. However, opportunities will likely come your way because of one of these reasons:

1. Time and chance – this is where you simply find yourself in the right place at the right time. Whether it’s because you were led or found yourself there for some reason, you can get access to opportunities that shifts you ahead many seasons.

2. Preparedness – when appropriate foundations have been laid, capacity is built and desire fashioned; opportunities can come along to reveal these desires.

3. Rewards – some opportunities come as rewards for diligence. Those ones are crafted to celebrate a commitment to excellence and mastery.

4. Strategic relationships – sometimes, opportunities arise simply because you are surrounded by men of influence. One word of theirs can set up opportunities you would otherwise never have encountered.

5. Divine Providence – this is the layer of opportunity where you cannot identify any natural force as an influencing factors. So like Jacob in Genesis 27:20, your description becomes “the Lord has brought it to me”

Regardless then of how opportunities come, your use of them is what really matters. Elizabeth, although surprised, welcomed Mary into her home for three months. That was how she made the most of the opportune visit. You ought to strive to do the same. Don’t waste opportunities.

#sly