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Who is the Author of this Opportunity?

Does opportunity thrill you or scare you?

I’m usually in the thrill category. Anything new and exciting, I’m on it. Somewhere I can embrace my passions and serve God at the same time? I’m on it!

But lately I’ve had a little root of fear crop up. What if I fail? What if I start down this path, and realize I chose wrong? What if it stretches me too much and I break? What if–God forbid–I trip up and set a poor example?

I’ve been taking myself too seriously. And not taking God seriously enough. We often think we have created an opportunity by being diligent, by sewing seeds, by serving. Then, because we think we created it, we feel obligated to follow through. The reality is,

God is the Author of Opportunity.

Boy, does that ever take the pressure off! If opportunity comes, it’s a gift. It’s not something we must ‘take on’, it’s something we receive. It’s not something we can fail at, as long as we hold the gift with open hands.

The New Year is full of opportunities–both private and public. Ones that will allow others to see God through us, or ones that will allow us to see God in the quiet of our own hearts. I am suddenly relieved by the perspective that these opportunities are not obligations, but gifts. And we need only receive the ones with our name on them. And then God, the author of that opportunity, will give us the grace to walk that path until His goals in us are achieved.

I tell ya’ll, I’m just relieved. Deliciously relieved.

Embracing the opportunity to freewrite with Lisa Jo today. Oh, I apologize if at times in the past week you’ve popped in and the blog looks like a messy closet with clothes thrown everywhere…I’m in the middle of reorganizing and trying on new fonts and colors for my redesign!

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: Five Minute Friday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becca {ironic adventures} says

    January 7, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    That’s what I need to learn – to look at our new challenges as “gifts.” Thanks for stopping by my blog with your encouraging words.
    -Becca

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    January 6, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    Oh, dear Trina…this is lovely. Just beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Alice W says

    January 6, 2013 at 3:44 am

    Thanks for this, Trina. God bless you this new year as you embrace all the opportunities and plans God has for you.

    Reply
  4. Paula Barnett says

    January 5, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Resting in this truth you embrace! God, the Author, provideth all that I am here to do! Everlasting freedom in this!

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      I know, right? I feel like a can breath so much easier now…

      Reply
  5. Dolly@Soulstops says

    January 5, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    Hi Trina,

    Thanks for visiting my blog and being so encouraging about my ebook on Soul Care, but first I would like to write the manifesto…Your words about opportunities being gifts to receive is so timely and wise…Thank you 🙂 Nice to meet you 🙂

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:28 pm

      manifesto, ebook…I’ll take whatever you write on the subject!

      Reply
  6. Crystal says

    January 4, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    “we need only receive the ones with our names on them”….oh the grace. The sweet grace of those words, the reminder that I can stop chasing other people’s dreams and opportunities and trust God with the ones He has planned for me. To pray about the one’s He has for me. Beautiful

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:30 pm

      Crystal, delighted to have you stop by.
      You know how Sarah Markley says, ‘write until God surprises you”? That line was the moment in yesterday’s post that surprised me. Totally God. I’m savoring it, too…

      Reply
  7. Shannon Coe says

    January 4, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    The timing of this post is just too precise to be anything but God. Thank you, Trina.

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Well, I can attest He had a lot to do with me even hitting publish yesterday. I’ve been so doubtful of my ability to discern which of my words need to ‘go live’. This is sweet confirmation that He was with me yesterday.

      Reply
  8. Mia says

    January 4, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    Hi Trina
    Yes, and I am glad toooo… I love your wisdom and insight for realizing that opportunities are gifts and funny how others at times think they know better than us what those opportunities are!! Sad to say, I have done that myself to others! May we only receive those with our names written on. Nice to meet you at FMF.
    Much love
    Mia

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      Lovely to have you visit, Mia! You know, I never thought of opportunities as gifts until yesterday… I believe God spoke that to me as I wrote yesterday…does that ever happen to you? I think God likes FMF. 😉

      Reply
  9. Jennifer Peterson says

    January 4, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    Love this and love that your playing with things on your blog!! So fun:)

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you, dear!

      Reply
  10. Amy Walker says

    January 4, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    Love this and love the new header!

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Well, thanks! I think I like it, too. 😉

      Reply
  11. Katie says

    January 4, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    What a wonderful reminder Trina! I like your new header. I’m in the process of switching to wordpress today. I was wondering how your updated show up in my blogger feed when you are now using wordpress?

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      Oh, my dear…I am not one to ask about wordpress or any technical question! I have no idea. Try tweeting your question with the hashtag #savvyblogging maybe?

      Reply
      • Katie says

        January 5, 2013 at 5:53 pm

        No worries, I just found it odd. 🙂 beautiful header!

        Reply
  12. Jennifer Kindle says

    January 4, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    great perspective. about a year ago I asked the Lord to keep me from going after opportunity but that I would walk through any opportunity that he threw at my feet. And, I have, and I’ve been blessed!

    Reply
    • Mandy says

      January 5, 2013 at 2:50 pm

      Jennifer, I love how your word picture of God throwing an opportunity at your feet. I will be praying this, too! So glad I read your comment.

      Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:36 pm

      Love it. It’s way more fun, isn’t it? So much less pressure than the things we put on ourselves…thank you for sharing, Jennifer!

      Reply
  13. Monica says

    January 4, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    I love this: “If opportunity comes, it’s a gift. It’s not something we must ‘take on’, it’s something we receive. It’s not something we can fail at, as long as we hold the gift with open hands.” Such a great perspective, and one I need for this year! (visiting from Lisa-Jo)

    Reply
    • Trina says

      January 5, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Monica, blessed to have you visit! Happy New Year!

      Reply

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