The Opportunity Seemed "Good"...
There are times where an opportunity seems GOOD by our eyes,
We do our diligence,
Crunch all the numbers,
Calculate the ROI,
Put in our blood, sweat and tears,
And BOOM!
...more like SPLAT.
In the story of Paul's journey to Rome...
Paul warned the centurion who was escorting him not to sail because there would be grave danger. However, the centurion ignored him and made his move when he saw a good window of opportunity.
"When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity"
But to his surprise, "Before very long, a wind of hurricane force... swept down"
It was written that, "We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard... the storm continued raging, we finally GAVE UP all hope of being saved."
OMG, what a poop show!
Haven't we all experienced something similar before?
Haven't we all taken a beating at some point in our life where,
Business fails,
Partnership falls apart,
Relationship breaks,
Hope turns to disappointment,
Dreams turn to dust.
However...
Did you know what there are storms in our lives that were MEANT to be avoided?
Not EVERY storm was this great plan of God to teach us a lesson.
Some storms we ran into because we don't LISTEN.
Whhaattt?!?!?!
Ouch!!
The TRUTH is when we stick our hand on a hot iron, we get burned.
The TRUTH is when we don't ask God and LISTEN, we make decisions that will run us into a storm just like Paul and his shipmates.
"Paul warned them, 'Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.' But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship."
The centurion was warned not to go on the voyage but he ignored it.
As a result, they lost cargo, the ship and almost their lives.
How about us?
Do we IGNORE God and block Him from saving us from disaster?
Or do we spend time SEEKING God each day?
Do we SEEK God for specific details in our business or personal lives?
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"
We're supposed to KNOW and SEEK God's voice.
When an opportunity comes our way,
We should go to God and be STILL and SEEK Him.
"Be still, and know that I am God"
How many storms have we sailed right into because we never bothered to ASK God once?
Would like to avoid another shipwreck or throwing overboard all your cargo?
Here are questions you can practice asking God.
1) God, How can I serve You today?
2) God, do You want me to do ____? (Purchase, trip, meeting, food, investment, partnership, etc.)
3) God, what do You think of ____ situation? (conflict, opportunity, relationship, desire, etc.)
4) God, is this opportunity from You? How do you want me to handle it?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."
Start practicing asking God about small things and LISTENING.
SEE what answer you get.
Get used to what it feels like and sounds like.
It's a cool experiment.
You may be pleasantly surprised. ^_^
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me lay down my pride in thinking I don't need to ask You,
Help me lay down my own wisdom and replace it with Yours,
Help me avoid shipwrecks You never wanted me to have,
Help me be more obedient and humble to Your will over my own.
Lord, I need a lot of help.
I am here,
Make me Yours,
More and more each day.
Thank You for Your faithfulness,
Thank You for Your unending love,
Thank You for all that You do,
Thank You for things I will never know or see in this lifetime.
Praise You Lord Jesus,
Praise You Holy Spirit,
Praise You Father,
Draw me closer to You,
In Jesus name, Amen."
Cheers to less shipwrecks in the future that was mean to be avoided. ^_^
