Opportunities

There’s a cable television series called The Big Idea hosted by Donny Deutsch. The show highlights accomplishments of successful business people who have “made it big” in business with one idea. Often the “ideas” revealed are those that we have all had, wondered about or shared with friends, but we never took the steps necessary to accomplish it.
The angel of the Lord appeared to him (Gideon), and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you.” — Judg. 6:12

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress hiding from the Midianites! Gideon must have looked around in disbelief wondering if the angel was speaking to someone else. A mighty hero? Maybe in his dreams. Nevertheless, Gideon was inspired enough at that moment to climb out of the winepress, confront the opportunity and accept the challenge.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of the parable of the talents. Each servant is given a number of talents to hold while the master is away. Two of them use their talents to gain more while one buries his talent.

I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.
— Matt. 25:25

To this the master took the original talent from the servant and had him thrown “into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25:30). All of us have been given some special talent and purpose. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28), we are to use our gift for a greater purpose serving others.
Don’t let fears of failure, embarrassment, other people and the unknown dictate your actions. Pursue those opportunities that have been presented to you, using the gifts and talents that you have been given and look forward to being surprised by the results.
“Anything can happen” (when you believe) — Mr. Magorium, MMWE