THE PROBLEM OF MISSED OPPORTUNITY
"So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life." Genesis 3:24. And just like that, Adam and Eve (representing the human race) lost an opportunity to live in the Garden of Eden.
"Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, .......” Luke 19:41-44. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He wept over a missed opportunity. The people of Israel waited centuries for a Savior. But when He came, they did not know He was the One. Instead of receiving Him, they crucified Him. The people missed the opportunity to be saved from both earthly and eternal destruction.
Blind Bartimeaus had an unforgettable opportunity the day he heard Jesus passing the street of Jericho. Mark 10:46-52. There were many sick, hurting and oppressed people by the roadside like Bartimeaus, but, they never took advantage of the opportunity. They were contented spectating while Bartimeaus grabbed the opportunity. He didn't allow the chance to be healed passed by.
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. 28 Do not say to your neighbour, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you." Proverbs 3:27-28. There are many hurting and wounded people in the world today. In what ways can you be of help? Don’t put off what you know you can do to be a blessing to others.
OPPORTUNITIES:
The dictionary defined opportunity as “a favourable juncture of circumstance when something could happen.” It is “a good chance for advancement or progress.” Opportunity is “an amount of time or situation in which something could be done.” It is a moment at which actions of importance or significance can be taken. Opportunity is an appropriate time to act. It is a moment of time in your life that, when maximised will define and impact your life and destiny. Opportunity is an event, circumstance, or situation planned by God for your salvation, deliverance, healing and success.
Every turning point in life is a result of opportunity you make effective use of. If you recognize and utilize it, you will have success. But if you miss it, there will be regret, sadness and failure. Opportunities are missed because many are at ease in their comfort zones. Some wasted divine opportunities to share the Gospel because of the love of the world. Some opportunities are missed because of the price involved. Some wasted opportunities because of the fear of failure. Some missed their divine opportunities to be blessed because they were not prepare or even realize it.
Sometimes these opportunities may look like challenges or coincidences but they are not. Opportunities are the Hand of God at work in situations and events of life with the aim of fulfilling your purpose or divine assignments. It wasn’t by accident that Joseph was thrown into the prison at the same time Pharaoh’s chief attendant was also there. Joseph would later discover that meeting him was the key to God’s plan for his life and was what would later get Joseph out of the prison to the leadership place God had prepared for him. Genesis 40. It wasn’t an act of luck that Mordecai was at the King’s gate the right time two of the King’s officials were planning to kill him. Esther 2:21-23. It was specifically timed by God and was what would later get Mordecai to a greater place.
God is still giving opportunities today. So you must be alert and prepared! Success comes when opportunity meets preparation. As you wait for your divine opportunities, you must constantly develop your skills, gifts and talents through training and practice. Don't waste the moment.
MYSTERY OF TIME:
Queen Elizabeth I was the richest person in the world in her time. On her dying bed, her last words were, "I would give all my kingdom for one more moment of time." Time is defined as 'a period of available resource under your control and sufficient to accomplish something.' It is the most valuable asset in life. If you lose money, it can be regained. But if you lose time, it’s gone forever.
We have each been given the same amount of time but the difference is how we use it.
1. Forget the past; face the present. Make the most of your today.
2. Set a clear, well defined and achievable goals.
3. Have a plan. Set out your plans for the next few days, weeks, months, and years.
4. Set your priorities. Organize your time for maximum productivity.
5. Avoid procrastination.
6. Use your 'idle' or 'spare' time effectively.
7. Accept responsibility for shortcoming. Admit when you are wrong; learn from it and try again.
8. Work on your communication skills. Be a good listener; talk less.
9. Audit your time at the end of the day. Review the way in which you have spent your time. Appraise your schedule. Compare what you did with what you intended to do.
Effective time management is an important discipline. Seize the day. Seize the moment. Seize the opportunities before you. Don’t put it off too long, because you may not have as much time as you think. Be productive with your life. Be effective with your time. Procrastination is a thief of time.
PROCRASTINATION:
A dictionary definition of procrastination is “To postpone or delay needlessly.” When you put off a task, job or assignment until later, you are replacing productivity with laziness. Procrastination steals time, potential, self-esteem, and peace of mind. It is poor time management. Procrastination is spending more time in what is less important. It is the habit of delaying what needs to be done. Procrastination is to put off unnecessarily an action demanding prompt attention. It is a vision killer. Sadly, the graveyards are full of callings, dreams, visions, and gifts that people never got around to realized or fulfilled.
Some people procrastinate because they love the last minute rush. Some on the excuse of better alternatives or options. Some procrastinate because they have not decided what's to be done. Some procrastinate because of laziness. Proverbs 6:9. What are you supposed to do? Do it now!
Some procrastinate because of the fear of failure. The word fail means "to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved" (Dictionary.com). Have you ever been so afraid of failing at something that you decided not to attempt it at all? We fear failures and being rejected. Fear is a tormentor. It is a spiritual attack. Fear lead us to settle for far less than what God has planned. It is the greatest obstacle to success. Fear resist moving forward.
Do you struggle with the fear of failure? If so, in what areas of your life? Have you sought to overcome it? Trust in God. Face your fears. Meditate on God's promises in the Word. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7.
Beloved, procrastination may have stolen productive years, and your dream may have died. But it is not over! God can restore your wasted years. Joel 2:25. Don't give up! Have faith in God.
Is there anything to be done? Do it now! Now is the time. Do not procrastinate. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can and should do today. Seize the moment. Seize your God-given opportunity.
HOW TO MAXIMISE OPPORTUNITIES:
1. Have a sense of urgency. Take immediate action.
2. Don't procrastinate.
3. Have foresight.
4. Watch and pray.
5. Fast often. It helps to increase spiritual sensitivity.
6. Be discerning and spiritual sensitive.
7. Don't be complacent.
8. Get rid of fear and negative thinking.
9. Be aggressive when you know you need to do something. Don’t put it off and keep putting it off.
10. Prioritize your life
If you are willing to repent and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, then pray this prayer right now: LORD Jesus, I come to You right now. I know I am a sinner, please forgive me my sins. With my mouth, I declare that Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. With my new heart, I believe that it is because of me that You came into this world; You died for my sins, take away my problems, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus name.
PRAYER POINTS
1. O Lord, open my eyes and ears to recognize opportunities, in Jesus name.
2. My buried opportunities; come alive, in Jesus name.
3. Doors of opportunity, open, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, may I be alert and sensitive to opportunities You bring my way, in Jesus name.
5. I shall fulfil my divine destiny, in Jesus name.
6. I shall not miss my divine opportunity, in Jesus name.
7. Father, forgive me for procrastinating, in Jesus name.
8. O Lord, restore my wasted profitable years, in Jesus name.
9. I shall be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing, in Jesus name.
10. Thank God for answering your prayer.
