Walk of Life – Day 10 – July 2021 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs – Be Diligent
Be Diligent to Capitalize on Every Opportunity
Proverbs 10:5 – He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
Opportunity is a gift from God, it is truly a blessing. In other words, this proverb is speaking about the Wise and the Foolish person…the Wise person will capitalize on every opportunity that comes his way and exploit it for profit and honor however the Foolish person will squander or miss it to his own shame and dishonor.
The reason many people do not recognize an opportunity is because it seems like a lot of hard work and they would rather rest and sleep than stress themselves out.
When times are good, gather all you can and save some for leaner times to come. God sends adversity and prosperity, but the proverb teaches you how to handle both. Business cycles, prosperity, depression, and promotion are God’s work (Eccl 7:14). Diligently accumulate much when it is easy, and you will have extra to fall back on when it is hard. You cannot boast of tomorrow, so you must provide for it today (Pr 22:3; 27:1,23-24).
Are you yearning and longing for knowledge, learning valuable skills, or striving to acquire a trade? Are you careful with the money the Lord has given you and not spending it lavishly but living with minimal expenses to accumulate capital for future investments? Are you building your contact base in your field of specialization for further references? Are there opportunities in your own company, in your own institution for growth? Are you capitalizing on those. It is very important to be prepared for opportunities. One great secret for success is to be prepared for opportunity when it arrives. When the harvest arrives, the calendar should be clear, strength should be enhanced, tools need to be ready and one must be focused mentally for maximum effort. In financial terms always maintain excellent credit, great asset liquidity, a clean reputation, and an up-to-date resume. A faithful man is faithful in all his house…be it spiritual or secular…your life should speak volumes.
What about the spiritual harvest? Are you grabbing every opportunity to share the good news with your friends and relatives? Do you speak about Christ whenever you get a chance? Do you share Christ with your close friends and relatives who do not know Him? Do you grab every opportunity to do good when it is in your power to do it? Do you extend a lending hand, a listening ear, and a caring shoulder to lean on?
How about the opportunity of pleasing the Lord and living according to His will? When these harvest seasons come to you by the grace of the Holy Spirit, do you rush to draw closer to the Lord are you so caught up with the things of this world that you do not even see these open doors!
Think of David who had gone to meet his brothers. He could have just not bothered about Goliath, could have just completed the task his father gave and went back home. But they who know their God shall do exploits. He pounced on the opportunity and convinced everyone he was ready to face that big giant Goliath and that story is history! If he just didn’t care, was lazy and lethargic, God may have defeated Goliath but He would have used someone else!
How about the opportunity of preparing to stand before the King of kings and Lord of lords? If you understand the reality of this approaching event, you have been given a blessed opportunity. You will soon pass out of this bustling world through the darkness of death into the light of His glorious Presence.
