Looking For It!

“In Chinese, there are two ways to write the word ‘crisis’. One way is with a character meaning ‘danger’, the other with a character meaning ‘opportunity’. It all depends on the writer’s perspective.” [original source unknown]

How true this also is for us when looking at crisis in our lives or the lives of others. We look at the evils in the world around us and at times may feel like giving up! Or we can look at the world and see the OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE AND DIRECT toward the right things. It has been said that an optimist MAKES OPPORTUNITIES out of his calamities while a pessimist makes calamities out of his opportunities. We need to realize how much depends upon the way we choose to view things.

There are definitely many ways in which we can reach out to the world and benefit it in the Name of Jesus. In fact, it is because of the crisis in this world that we need to be reaching out. Paul’s life exemplified such a perspective. (note Philippians 1:12-14)

Writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul exhorted…
“(15) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, (16) MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE TIME, because the days are evil.” ( Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV)

The New Living translation reads…
“(16) MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY for doing good in these evil days.” (NLT © 1997, Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House)

The reason to make the most of OUR OPPORTUNITIES is because of the conditions today. We do not know how long the world has left to respond to God’s message of saving grace. Let us share the message of hope the world is so much in need of hearing as the OPPORTUNITIES present themselves. Besides helping to bring God’s redemptive work into the lives of others, by being involved in good service we ourselves are also less likely to get drawn into the evils of the world. May the world see in each of us the beauty of Christian service as we help turn focuses away from despair to the hope in Christ!

Have a great day RECOGNIZING OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 09/22/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Opportunity