“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do” (Ephesians 5:15-17, NLT).
I grew up with two older brothers. And in a house with a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, we often heard the cry, “Hey! They got more than me! That’s not fair!” Okay, “YES!” as the youngest it was usually me doing the whining. Does this ring a bell with any of you?
How about when you were in school, “I study just as hard as so-and-so, so how come the teacher gives me bad grades while they make straight A’s?” How about at work? “They make more than me, but I’ve been there longer.” Or how about with God? Do you ever whine to God, “Why does all this stuff keep coming down on MY head!?” Ohhhh, woe is me!!!”
Sometimes we can become so focused on what we DON’T HAVE, that we lose sight of the opportunities that God has placed in our paths. If we really think about our situations, rarely are we justified in our complaint.
More often than not, we fail to recognize the opportunities that God has given us. When we do recognize an opportunity, we do not pursue it with the enthusiasm and wisdom that God intended. Rather, we respond by whining about a comparison to someone else or we take what we’re blessed with and squander the benefits on frivolous pursuits.
For example, I know a lady who is always complaining that she has no money. She’s always asking for a handout. Yet, she drops $40 a week on lottery tickets. Do the math, folks!
So, let’s think about it. When God gives you an opportunity, are you grateful? Do you take full advantage of the opportunity? Do you use the resources wisely and in a God-honoring way? In the final analysis, the way in which we are blessed by the opportunities that God gives us is directly linked to the way in which we RESPOND to that opportunity.
If we want to walk in the full measure of God’s blessings, then we must chose a proper response to His gifts.
David McCall, Executive Pastor
