My Great Opportunity
What does this day hold?
“The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are.”
John Burroughs
While dreaming of some great future exploit, what am I not seeing at my feet that would improve my life and the lives of others right now?
Some feed on controversy and conflict and they chum the waters. What might happen today if I were more patient and I refused to take their bait?
Perhaps what I see others do is because the same temptation is in me. But what if today I don’t go there?
What if I reject the idea that it is up to me to step in and fix something that is only tangentially, if at all, any of my business?
What if I curb my sarcastic wit and instead allow for a space of silence for others to talk and possibly fix their own issues? Might this be giving them the gift of respect?
Is trying to be clever, rather than proof of a superior intellect, actually evidence of insecurity? Why should I feel the need to prove anything to anyone on such a peaceful and glorious day?
Sometimes my greatest opportunity is to make an impact by not trying to make any impact at all.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:28-34 (ESV)
This is one of my very favorite passages. It's always so good to be reminded of the truth that is within these verses.