Opportunity missed and how to recover from it

Do you ever feel like you missed an opportunity to do something?  This just happened.  I was in the check out line of the grocery store, about three customers back.  There were three guys at the register, maybe about 25, 18 and 13 in age.  I think they were brothers.  They did not have enough money to pay their bill.  Instantly, I began an internal struggle with myself.  Part of me wanted to step up and say, “I’ll take care of it.”  Another part was saying, “No just wait. Let them figure it out.”  I kept battling myself.  “No, stop, don’t.”  And then another part just wanting to help.   I hope my longing to help was more about them and less about me wanting to be some kind of savior.  It feels good to help.  And it is important to realize that even when I am helping others, often it is really about me.

But back to the story.

I didn’t step forward and the guys worked it out leaving most of their items behind.  I felt so bad, just like I had missed an opportunity.  And I had.  However, don’t fall into the trap of beating yourself up.  God doesn’t want that.  God wanted me to recognize the opportunity and act upon it.  I did not.  Therefore the next action is similar.  Recognize the missed opportunity and learn from it.  Do something different next time.  And yeah, there will be a next time.  You can count on it.  Because when you begin to open yourself up to God and God’s work in the world and your willingness to participate in it, God will use you over and over and over again.  It’s a learning process.  We are all learning.  We are all on a path and the path leads to a deeper understanding of who God is.  The very nature of God.  God would be eager to step up and pay the bill.  Actually God did.  God paid our bill a long time ago.  And because of my gratitude of what God has already completed in me, I am eager to help others.  Only because of God working through me can I do anything at all.  Every opportunity becomes a chance to glorify God.  God is glorified through us, in us and in our day to day lives.  This is why we help.  This is why we step up.  Not for my glory, but for God’s.

I would challenge you today, to open yourself up to all God has for you.  Are you willing to do the work of the Father?  Are you willing to step up and pay someone’s else bill, knowing that it is not about you but about God working through you?  I can’t wait for my next opportunity.  Because next time, I’ll be quicker to step up and say, “I’ve got this.”  That’s not me.  That’s God in me.  Praise be to God!

p.s. – check out my brand new page #livelove ideas for ways that you can help and encourage others as we journey through this thing we call life.

Dear Lord, thank you that you paid my bill a long time ago.  Give me  eyes to see each opportunity as a chance to glorify you.  Give me the courage to step up  when called.  Thank you that you continue to grow me and use me, often when I don’t feel like I’m ready.  Thank you for those opportunities both taken and missed because they are all learning moments.  In Christ Jesus, Amen!  -M