Opportunities

My mother-in-law is an avid gardener.  She was talking this week about the "January thaw".  She contends that each January there is a break in the weather, the snow melts, and we are given a reprieve from the brutality of winter life in the upper Midwest.  And it's here!  We are looking forward to the experience this weekend! Temperatures are forecast to be in the high 40's all weekend.  Enjoy the "January thaw!"  

Here is the question: what will you do with this window of opportunity?  Saturday and Sunday will feel like a heat wave compared to the last few weeks.  Will you simply load up on sports and Netflix, or will you make the most of the opportunity?  

I've come to believe that what we do with windows of opportunity are what forms our character.  An unexpected opportunity will enter each of our lives at some point. It could be an open door to an important conversation.  A person could pop into our lives for an unknown reason that simply needs a listening ear.  We could be asked to pray for something, knowing we've never really prayed with passion for God to move.  It could mean a sudden influx of unexpected income (have you seen gas prices?  We all got a raise.)    

What is undeniable is that windows will open for each of us, not at the same time or the same way, but unplanned opportunities to follow Christ WILL present themselves.  It will require your openness and follow through.  These two things are faith traits that we do not just 'oops' our way into. Preparing for God's opportunities IS the expectancy of our Christian character.