“I believe we are each given an opportunity each day to speak, show and shine the Word of God.
And even more opportunities to pray, pursue and perform the work of God. If only we are willing.”
Going to the dealership for some is a headache, getting ran down by a salesman in the lot as if you were a fugitive that had just escaped prison is a lot for a person who just wants to look around for a car. For me, it’s a different story, I love going. As a car enthusiast and most of the times stumping the salesman about the cars that they have is so fun! Here is my story of an opportunity that I could have encountered if I was willing.
Opportunity Presented
Meet, Mike, who has been in the car business for a little over 5 years. This guy always has a smile on his face, full of joy and for sure a light of the Gospel for that dealership. He wasn’t my salesman, but we bonded the first time we spoke all the times I would get my vehicle serviced. He had told me about his daughter and had asked me to keep her in prayer the first time we had talked. He had told me she had been battling cancer for six months. After I had told him that I was in the ministry, he was enthused. Exited to hear that. He then asked me if I would be willing to come over to his house and pray for his daughter. As if I had stepped into her room, a vision began to take hold of me after he asked me the question. I responded. “Mike, that sounds great, I would love too.” I seen myself, sitting in a chair by a window with her on the bed next to me. Her face, as she was erupting with hope couldn’t wait to listen. As I began to tell her a story about the woman who had a sickness that no man, no medicine could cure but only one name, Jesus. I was taken back to reality when he asked me again, “Would you mind coming over?” I replied again, ” yes!”
“We have very little time” I thought to myself as I left, after I accepted the opportunity, but when? When will I go and pray with his daughter?
So you say your going to pray for that person, are you really?
Every time I would be there for an oil change or when I was close to the dealership I would stop in and tak to the guys. I would always find Mike and ask him how his daughter was. A cold morning in November I walked into the showroom before any salesman were there. Looking around I thought of Mike and his daughter. Was I too late? It’s been a while since he had asked me to go to his house to pray with his daughter. Did I really mean by what I said? Or was it something that he wanted to hear me say? Is she healed? Surely, someone else prayed and she got healed. Its like the memory of her had vanished.
I had seen this man months before with a smile on his face, greeting everyone as if he had known them for years. I was hoping the situation had not gotten worse. I stopped by Mike’s office. For months his life had been ship wrecked, a test of faith, of the situation that he and his wife were facing. A giant of a disease that had no face, no cure. Had she been healed?
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There are so many opportunities, a chance to step into a “realm” of Gods power, of Him using you for a specific purpose so many times throughout your life, that most of the times we are not aware. Why? We doubt God. Making excuses like, “I’m not capable of that” or the famous line, “I can’t do that” we’ll of course you can’t, it’s not YOU, it’s all HIM! So lets put on Christ and put off the doubt. And for most the time.
Time is a huge factor, so precious to use every minute wisely, I’ve found that out very quickly when I got called into the ministry. When the opportunity is available, take it and don’t let go. Prioritizing is key, not just in the ministry but for everyone else. I guess you could say I took the opportunity but I would find out that it was taken from me. A single man, most would assume I can find time. working close to 45 hours at my job, plus my small business Nitty Gritty Auto Detailing was too much for me to handle. And I had forgotten more important duties. I was letting the opportunity slip out of my hands without even realizing it.
As I was talking to another salesman asking how their quarter for sales were, Mike steps in, with of course, a smile on his face, said “hey, how you doing?” I said “I’m fine, and you?” “Doing good!”
As I looked at Mike I could tell his life had taken a different turn. You knew he would have to answer to my question about his daughter, the intense look that he had I knew it wouldn’t be good news. As I had got done paying for the oil change I was motioned to go talk to Mike. I walked over to his desk, took a hold of his hand to shake, I asked him “Mike, your daughter, how is she?” She passed a little over a month ago,” with my hands grasping his, I didn’t let go, his eyes began to form tears. As I looked into his eyes all I could think to say was ” I’m so sorry, she was ready to go” embracing him and instilling the faith that one day he would see her again. That’s all I could think of to say, I turned around and began to walk away. I paused for a moment.
I knew that my opportunity had been taken away, I didn’t cherish it, because I didn’t cherish the time that I had in order to take action. I let it go, and now it was gone, no second chance.
I think sometimes, God could have used me to heal this girl, of course her church, the pastor prayed with her for the healing. But what if I had prayed? I’m no one special I know that, but what if God used this situation to use me and to open my eyes to the raw power of His Glory that is unlocked by stepping into faith?
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“And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.”
(Mark 5:21-43 ESV)
The crowds, the distractions, the religious rulers watching every move of Jesus would be enough for anyone to hide and give up for the day. But he pursued and carried on. Jairus came along, fell at His feet, pleading that He might come and and lay hands so that she may live again. As Jesus was on the way to Jairus’ house, a woman who had endured for 12 years of a blood disorder had a chance to be healed by this man whom they call Jesus. The crowds by now were pressing in even more closer to Jesus as they were anticipating of what was to happen at Jairus’ house.
Reality: We began to push things to the side whenever we have too much going on at once, at least I know I do. The pressure, the stress of today’s society is easy for anyone to say, “I don’t have the time.” We put the work of God on the back-burner and do the more “important” things first.
Q: Are we completing the opportunities that we receive?
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The Willingness
def. – Acting or ready to act gladly; eagerly compliant
We speak before we really think about the situation that we are about to embark on. Whether it is a prayer request, a promise to another, or a situation that I had. Intentions are different from willingness. The willingness to do something is stepping into faith. Intentions are thoughts, no motivation.
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Are you willing to open the door?
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
Never, does anyone have a second chance to change a circumstance in their life, even an opportunity that I could have acted on; she is gone. But that does not mean that God will not use me in another opportunity that He may bring my way, we must learn from our mistakes and keep our eyes open to those opportunities. The second our last breath is breathed here on Earth, we stand before a Holy God who is just. There will be no second chance to make things right, we must make that decision here on Earth. Are you willing to open that door of Salvation for Him to be Lord over your life?
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