“Hey Dan, I have an opportunity for you.”
This was how many of our conversations began. Over time I learned to laugh and beat him to the punch. “So, what opportunity do you have for me today?” Walt was one of those happy, easy going guys who had the gift to see the positive in every situation. Even the worst of times was an “opportunity” for someone to learn something new, to grow, to rise above expectations and do great things. The truth. Walt knew every “opportunity” was a moment for us to remain faithful, do our best, and then watch as God showed up to redeem and transform a difficult situation.
I was a young man when I worked with Walt and Carol. I learned a lot. Above all I learned that even the most difficult of situations is “an opportunity” to see God at work.
I thought of Mr. Opportunity this morning when I read my devotional. I want to share it with you here. It comes from Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling.
Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits. The first is obvious: Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship. Another benefit is that disappointments, instead of dragging you down, are transformed into opportunities for good. This transformation removes the sting from difficult circumstances, making it possible to be joyful in the midst of adversity.
Begin by practicing this discipline in all the little disappointments of daily life. It is often these minor setbacks that draw you away from My Presence. When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost. It is only after much training that you can accept major losses in this positive way. But it is possible to attain the perspective of the apostle Paul, who wrote: Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, I consider everything I once treasured to be as insignificant as rubbish.
