Opportunity Knocking?

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Ephesians 5: 15-17 NIV)

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4: 5, 6 NIV)

This must have been common advice given to young Christians and disciples of Christ. "Make the most of every opportunity."

This same advice is given by learned men of the world. It is judged that a happy person is one who is able to "make the most of every situation," turning times and events into occasions for profit and growth.

It is the kind of advice one sees in sayings like - "when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade." It is the ability to see opportunity where others see none, the ability to turn a perceived evil into a blessing or occasion for good. It is the opposite of "slipping the occasion."

Often people are heard to sadly confess how they "failed to seize the opportunity afforded" to them, how they "missed their chance" at a particular thing.

Some opportunities are more easily recognized than others and they are called "golden opportunities." Sometimes too such times, by way of metaphor, are viewed as "opened doors"; A "door" being "opened" is equated with "opportunity knocking."

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6: 10 NIV)

"But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." (I Corinthians 16: 8, 9 KJV)

"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother..." (II Corinthians 2: 12, 13 KJV)

It requires wisdom and understanding from the Lord to discern proper times and seasons for doing things, for seeing opportunities. Is it time to plant or to sow, to cry or to rejoice?

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 KJV)

"...there is a time there for every purpose and for every work" (verse 17).

"Whoever obeys his (the king) command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him." (Ecclesiastes 8: 5, 6 NIV)

One cannot underestimate the importance of this kind of wisdom. To be talking when the circumstances call for keeping silent, or to rejoice when the occasion calls for crying, or to sit still when the situation demands action, are examples of making the worst of a situation, rather than the "making the best of it."

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4: 12 NIV)

Oh how all need to learn the same "secret" to living! A man who has "learned to be content" in "every situation" has truly been given eyes to see opportunity when others do not. They have truly learned how to make the most of each situation. They have learned how to do as Paul exhorted, who said - "keep your head in all situations." (II Timothy 4: 5 NIV)

"Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity)." (I Corinthians 7: 21 - English Standard Version)

Opportunties! Do we see them in business? Do we see them in regard to our relationships? Do we see them in regard to doing good? Do we see opportunity for speaking a good word? Oh how delightful and beneficial is a word spoken at the right time!

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures (frames) of silver." (Proverbs 25: 11 KJV)

This is called "speaking a word in due season to him who is weary." (Isaiah 50: 4 KJV)

Friend, are you letting occasion and opportunity to slip? Especially in your relationships? To God and family and friends? Why not "seize the occasion," rather than letting it "slip"?