O is for Opportunity

2012/April by Marji Laine 15 Comments

I’m late posting – only a few days left until prom. Pictures next week! After all, it’s “P” day, right?

This week’s distraction has everything to do with my topic today, and the passions and circumstances that direct us to the opportunities that God opens up for us. In my adult life, I’ve taken all sorts of roles: Actor, director, worship leader, teacher, website builder, prom director, etc. And I can see each of those roles as temporary destinations on my road trip of life.

I’ll use one as an example. Years ago, my music minister asked me to direct the children’s Wednesday night music program. I had just stepped out of the role of public school teacher and wasn’t inclined to jump back in, but I spent a week praying over it and something happened. I started getting excited about this thing I didn’t want to do.

Spending some time asking for direction, I was able to see how God had uniquely prepared this all along. Being a teacher, I’d learned all types of tricks to engage that age group, I had directed three full-blown musicals by then and choreographed and acted in several others, so I had experience with putting things on the stage, and God surrounded me with good friends ready to step alongside and build the program.

Looking back on it, all I can do is shake my head. I’m not equipped to do the things we did and I don’t really like to be in charge of things either. But I’m convinced that God gives us what we need when we need it.

Ps. 37:4 says, “Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I’ve seen this happen and I know that not only does He give a passion for what He wants me to do, He also provides what I need to accomplish it.

That’s a good thing, too, because this current opportunity has me out in unchartered waters doing tasks that are way out of my comfort zone. But in every case, He’s provided what I’ve needed to complete the task, honor Him, and stay enthusiastic about this opportunity.

Your turn: Has the Lord called you into something uncomfortable? What door of opportunity has He opened in front of you?

Author: Marji Laine

Marji is a recently "graduated" homeschooling mom whose twin girls have blessed her by sticking around the nest for a little longer. She spends her days directing the children’s music program at her church and working with the authors of Write Integrity Press to put out the best possible version of their books. Raised in suburban Dallas, she got her first taste of writing through the stories of brilliant authors of their day, Mignon Eberhart and Phyllis A. Whitney, and through stage experience. After directing and acting in productions for decades, Marji started writing her own scripts. From that early beginning, she delved into creating scintillating suspense with a side of Texas sassy. She invites readers to unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great Mystery that invites us all.