Thoughts on Opportunity & Influence

Father in heaven, show me a greater glimpse of your glory!

As Christ-followers we need to look for opportunities to show Christ to others through our joy, our peaceful spirit, our grace, our forgiveness, and our love. So often it seems that I am not actively looking for or making the most of the God-given opportunities that come my way. Maybe you have had similar experiences. If so, join me in asking the King to break your stony heart and to soften your hardened heart. Father, make us vulnerable before you and allow us to be intimate with you so that we can hear and discern your will for our lives. Above all, help us Lord to make the most of each and every opportunity!

Think about your influence. Who do you influence? How do you influence them? What message(s) do you send to others? Do the people at your job, at school, in your own family even know you are a Christ-follower? I have been contemplating this very thought. I am wondering if the students at the school I teach at know who I really am. Do the football players on the team I coach know that I am sold out for Jesus? Does my family realize that I live for the King and seek to serve Him and His people above all else? I guess there are two ways to address this issue: either you can boldly proclaim your faith to others OR you can live your life in such a way that people can tell that there is something special about you. I believe Christians should be actively doing BOTH. There are times to boldly proclaim, but more often we need to simply heed the words of the Apostle Paul:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Christ has given each of us the opportunity to influence others by living a Godly life – let’s be obedient and do just that!

Application: In order to determine what opportunities the Lord is giving you, I challenge you this week to spend some significant time in His presence and the Word. The Lord will speak to us when we spend tie with Him. I have tried to make excuses of busyness and I have not time before; no more!  I am drawing a line in the sand and making a commitment to make worship and prayer time with God a priority. I have learned that whatever things in your life you make your top priorities, those are the things you value the most. How much do you value your walk with the Lord? The time you spend with Him cultivating your relationship is the only way to answer that question. Join me in seeking God this week. Let’s hold each other accountable.

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