I am a huge people observer, especially in the area of leadership. I love to watch how others handle situations that are placed in front of them in order to grow myself.
Love entrusting to others what has been entrusted to me.
Years ago, through a particular ministry endeavor, I had the privilege of serving with Coach Dabo Swinney, head football coach with Clemson University, and his wife, Kathleen. Both husband and wife were delightful to work with, encouraging to be around, and incredibly inspiring in their ongoing dialogues about life and leadership. I not only learned from this amazing couple, but I grew significantly from the lessons gathered. One such statement from Dabo has stuck with me for years, enveloping into a wonderful lesson cherished.
Don’t Wait for Opportunity to Prepare–Prepare for Opportunity!Tweet
At one point in my life, I had dreamed of working as an interviewer through a distinct ministry. My background had afforded me countless opportunities to serve as a questioner, and I absolutely loved this period in my life. Yet, one particular ministry had caught my attention in a special way, and I had longed to assist in that arena as an interviewer. However, no opportunities for such a position presented, so I put off preparing for the desired position. In all honesty, I was waiting for the door to open before grooming for the specific task.
Don’t wait for opportunity to prepare—Prepare for opportunity.—Dabo Swinney
One day I had gotten lost on the interstate attempting to arrive at a particular destination. To my surprise, I found myself sitting in the parking lot of the actual ministry at which I desired to serve. As I looked around in complete amazement, a lesson was about to be unveiled by none other than the Lord Himself—one I would always hold close to my heart.
We can dream all day long about engaging in particular tasks for the Kingdom, but if we do not prepare ourselves for those moments, we may miss opportunities when they come.Tweet
As I sat in the parking lot of the ministry with which I had desired to work, I realized two things. What if, on this very day, God had opened the door for the position for which I had so longed? Would I have been ready? I realized deep in my heart, the answer was no.
As I pulled out of that parking lot, I knew instantly what I had to do. Preparation would commence for the desired position before ever seeing the door open. For God’s appointed times to open doors often announce unexpectedly. Will we be ready?
Recently, I have been studying in the book of Joshua where the Children of Israel were camped out at Gilgal, preparing for and waiting to take Jericho. After years of wandering in the wilderness, they had finally arrived to the Promised Land. Yet, Jericho was the one huge obstacle standing in the way of the Israelites’ inheritance.
For years prior, God had been preparing Joshua for this moment. Joshua was eager to learn and was obedient to do all the things God had instructed. His leadership was impeccable, and his humility was recognizable as he led the masses of people to take the high-walled city.
Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. 2But the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have handed Jericho over to you, with its king and the valiant warriors. 3And you shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight ahead” (Joshua 6:1-5).
What is your dream? What desire is overtaking your heart? Remember, do not wait for opportunity to prepare—prepare for opportunity, for you never know when God’s appointed time will present itself, bringing your desire to fruition through His open door.
Written by: O’Shea
Cover photo by: Michael on Unsplash.
