Sometimes we look for opportunities and sometimes they look for us. But one thing I know; negativity and the inability to court possibilities, blinds you to the opportunity of a lifetime. Born out of possibility, opportunity comes our way when we, by faith remain open to all God has for us each day.
Our walk in this month of May has moved us beyond “what ifs”, revealed impossibility thinking, and pin-pointed areas of resistance hindering our spiritual growth. All with the intention of reinforcing our faith in the God of possibilities.
Faith embraces possibilities with a passion for serving others, cracking wide open the door to the opportunity of a lifetime.
Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends.
Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always.
We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning the art of “stillness” so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.
possibility vs opportunity
Many people use the terms, “possibility” and “opportunity” interchangeably. While similar, an important nuance separates them. When understood, we see the integral part faith plays in experiencing both possibility and opportunity in our lives.
For example, a possibility presents the potential for something to happen. Recently, the possibility of adding more informative classes for new employees at my hospice agency invited discussion.
While possible, more classes may or may not develop.
Opportunity, on the other hand, indicates a specific offer or circumstance available for choice. The discussion on adding more informative classes for new employees yielded an opportunity for me to teach a specific class at a specific time.
The opportunity promised a concrete option for me to accept or decline.
Possibility plants the seed, and when cultivated, yields fruitful opportunity.
Possibility represents the positive side of life; when coupled with faith, opportunities for Kingdom work become more available. Too often we not only limit opportunities for ourselves, but we limit God’s work through us, when we fail to entertain the possibilities around us.
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Luke 1:37
faith embraces possibilities
Many of us want to make a difference with our lives and the talents God gave us. We pray for opportunities, maybe even eagerly look for the “opportunity of a lifetime”, yet we remain on a perpetual quest.
I remember praying for an opportunity of using my talents of writing and teaching for God’s Kingdom work. Becoming focused on obtaining a particular opportunity, when the door closed, I felt lost.
While part of the problem included a bit of negativity in my thought processes, the biggest problem became my inability to embrace possibilities. Because I limited my thoughts and ideas, I limited God, and ultimately limited my opportunities.
faith creates opportunity
As God kept placing the idea of a blog ministry before me, my lack of faith interpreted the “possibility” as an impossibility. My idea of an opportunity included options which catered to my expertise; creating a blog fell far outside my comfort zone.
After a while, I began looking at the possibility, only to run for cover once seeing all it involved. But God continued placing the possibility before me until one day I picked it up. Holding it in my prayers, I began seeing it in a different light.
Faith allows God to transform a possibility into an opportunity for Kingdom work.
Through faith, my perspective shifted from my limited view of possible opportunities for Kingdom work, to God’s view of possible opportunities for me. Faith enabled me to trust God enough with the possibility to then take the step into the opportunity when it arrived.
When you look at the possibilities instead of the problems, the future is filled with endless opportunities.
Zig Ziglar
preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime
Preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime involves exploring possibilities. Not every possibility will become an opportunity, and not every opportunity is for you. But unless you explore the possibilities around you by faith, you cannot expect to find a meaningful opportunity.
Faith-filled possibilites often lead to God-sized opportunities tailor made for you.
As with my desire of using my God given gifts of writing and teaching, my limiting beliefs stunted my possibility exploration, leaving me with few possibilities and zero opportunities. God continued placing possibilities before me, but my lack of faith dismissed most without a second look.
If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
Mark 9:23
exploring possibilities
Consider these easy ways for shifting limited possibility thinking into a faith fueled perspective.
- Increase Awareness. Notice your present surroundings, people, and resources. Avoid ruminating over what failed in the past. Consider what is available to you now. Pray for God to increase your awareness of possibilities you may not yet see.
- Remain Open. Even if you think of a possibility which scares you or seems too hard, stay open. Avoid a dismissive attitude about possibilities God brings to your attention. Bring the most outlandish possibilities to God in prayer; for they often result in the biggest opportunities.
- Get Curious. Get up close and personal with possibilities; ask questions. Explore how the possibility may look as a reality. Investigate how you can make it happen, or simply obtain more information in general. Ask God for His perspective and more understanding about a particular possibility.
- Be Brave. Dare to dream big Kingdom dreams. Faith not only takes the first step, it takes big and hard steps. Ask God to free you from limiting beliefs and small ambition. Surrender your will and determine to act on any possibility God turns into an opportunity.
Altering the way you view possibilities around you, strengthens your faith and removes limiting beliefs keeping you from receiving the opportunity of Kingdom work God has ordained for you.
Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God.
William Carey
embracing the opportunity of a lifetime
People spend their whole lives seeking that one opportunity guaranteed to make all their hardwork worthwhile. An opportunity so huge, which once grasped, will bring ultimate fulfillment.
But truly embracing the opportunity of a lifetime comes, when by faith, you welcome the possibilities God places before you. When you seek awareness of His goodness offered, receive with open hands the gift of possibilities, with joyful curiosity examine all, and bravely step out with faith; then expect the opportunity of a lifetime.
Donna, I am so glad you shared this post again, for it was a first read for me! This >> “Possibility plants the seed, and when cultivated, yields fruitful opportunity.” May we cultivate the seeds the Lord plants in our lives. May we not grow weary, knowing it will yield a harvest in His time. I’m so grateful you share your wisdom and writing with us all, for you have blessed and ministered to me more often than you could possibly know! Blessings!
Thank you, Joanne for taking the time to read one of my very favorite posts! I’m still working on the God given wisdom here myself!
Donna, this is so good and powerful. You reached into my heart this evening! So inspiring – thank you, my friend.
Thank you, Deborah, praise God you found inspiration here tonight! This is one of my favorite posts!
Donna, your wise words remind me of the importance of doing the next thing and trusting that God will bring the next thing after that. I’ve been trying to do this with a writing project … for too long, I festered about all the future impossibilities associated with it, even as I sensed God’s gentle prodding to just start writing. Once I started, it was easier to keep going. I’m so glad you started blogging … your encouraging heart and writing ministry are both blessings to me.
Lois, I rejoice you found some helpful information in this post today! I struggle so often with writing too, I procrastinate and dawdle, fighting anxiety. I so appreciate your kind words about my blogging and encouragement to you, I have been struggling lately with whether I am in the right place!
Donna, I so appreciate the way you deep-dived into the differences between possibility and opportunity. And I, for one, am very glad you began blogging. Your words are a ministry!
Jeanne, I had fun writing this post, and in fact did not realize the difference between possibility and opportunity until God showed me. Thank you for your kind words, you’ll never know how much I needed to hear them today!
I appreciate how you articulated these two words, Donna, “Possibility plants the seed, and when cultivated, yields fruitful opportunity.” Trust in a loving God and faith are keys, “Faith enabled me to trust God enough with the possibility to then take the step into the opportunity when it arrived.” This is encouraging, “Faith-filled possibilities often lead to God-sized opportunities tailor made for you.”
Thank you, Lisa for yur kind remarks. I enjoyed exploring this topic and it has helped me to be more open to opportunities God offers me.
Love this line: “Possibility plants the seed, and when cultivated, yields fruitful opportunity.” I also love when you say all possibilities won’t lead to opportunities. If we as Christians believe anything is possible, then I believe that will give us the courage to step into the opportunities presented to us.
Thank you Yvonne for your kind comment. Understanding all possibilities won’t lead to opportunities, is important, and as you say, as Christians we must believe all things are possible, giving us courage to move forward, because only God knows the opportunities He has for each of us.
I had not thought of the difference between a possibility and an opportunity–thanks for clarifying that!
Barbara, being word geek I love the the nuances of the English language, and sometimes they actually provide meaningful input for daily living!
Great ways to explore possibilities. I find myself practicing my one word by being “ Intentional “ about stopping, being still and listening to His whispers calling me to His opportunities and possibilities.
Paula, I love how you employ your one word “intentional” by being still to listen to God about possibilites & opportunities. I so need to do more of that!
Donna–I’ve been seeing this play out as I’ve decided to do some hard things in 2022 that I’ve put off for years. While it’s sad to think of opportunities lost over the years, I’m thrilled to see that the Lord really does open doors as we take steps of faith. I believe it’s what we were made for and so few of us experience it to the degree we could. Thank you for writing this encouraging post!
Amy, I am right there with you, sweet sister. I have run along my merry way, and I know I left many lost opportunities behind me. But that is the amazing thing about God, it is never too late! I am learning while it is hard to step out in faith, God is waiting for me, and He is the One providing everything I need to step into every opportunity He offers.
That is a good post. Thank you so much. Yes, I am longing to surrender my will and determine to act on any possibility God turns into an opportunity.
Aritha, I so appreciate you and your kind and thoughtful comments. I pray as you surrender to God in the possibilities He opens up wonderful opportunities for you!
you’re reminding me that negativity and a ‘worst case scenario’ mindset can definitely distract us from what God is inviting us to. thanks, friend …
Linda, it seems so easy to go right to negativity and the worst case scenario. I’m practicing what I learned in my “What ifs” post, instead of saying “what if this doesn’t work” I’m going to “what if this works?” Can you imagine the excitement of pursuing anything with God that way?
What a great post! I understand all too well the desire to speak and write and at the same time ignoring opportunities God placed in front of me. Thank you for your ideas at the end of the post. Bravery is one I will work on the rest of my life.
Thank you, so much Mary! I praise God these words resonated with you. Bravery is one I am always working on!!