Wasted Opportunities

What do you think about when you hear the words “Wasted Opportunities”?  My mind automatically turns to regret, it reminds me of the times I “should have”.

The following scenarios are just a couple of lessons I have learned about wasted opportunities, times I wish I could turn the clock back and have a redo for.  Though I have a boatload to choose from, I pray these will touch hearts for everyday life, for those who desire to do God’s best in the time He has given us.

Lessons Learned

When God lays a person on your heart, there is always a reason.  Do not miss the opportunity to pray for them.  Be led by His Spirit, for He guides us for what need there is.  It is so much easier to obey when God calls us to whisper that prayer for them.  But sometimes He moves us from our comfort zone to call them, visit them, take them to lunch or have a listening ear around a cup of coffee, doesn’t He?  Yes, I have missed many opportunities to bless His people because I did not feel I had the time to obey God’s urges.    Recently, I was reminded how important it is to obey in God’s timing, so here is Lesson #1.

• I knew God wanted me to visit and pray with someone that was ill, He was encouraging me to have communion with them. However, I was getting ready to leave for a trip, so I did not make time to obey His heeding.  While I was away, they graduated to glory before I returned home.  I think you already know the regret I have.  I am thanking God this precious soul knew Jesus, but I question myself at this point how many other missed opportunities such as this I have.  If this resonates with you, I’m sure your spirit joins me in praying, “Help us Lord not to waste the opportunities You send our way!”

Although this second story happened many years ago, it is a lesson that I continue to remember often.

• A friend of mine called me and invited me to her home. We were young believers and she voiced to me that she had a demon.  At her words, fear rushed over me.  I had no experience in this area and was shocked to hear those particular words coming from her mouth.  After all, we both were attending the same church and were teaching young children in that church.  I had been taught about the authority we had through the “Name of Jesus”, but never believed I could be used like this.  So, fear rose up within me at that moment.  Yes, I timidly prayed for her, I even heard the Lord tell me the root of her problem, but I prayed without authority, leaving room for doubt and unbelief.  Therefore, I left that poor girl’s house with both of us defeated.  Sadly, her story did not end well.  She began working as a stripper, leaving the church, and losing her family.  All attempts at reconciliation by me were rebuked.  How many times do you think I remember that day as a “Wasted Opportunity”?  How many times do you think I realize the truth now in the scripture “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6)?  May God breathe truth back into this soul, for today is the day of salvation, in Jesus Name!
• It has taken me years to understand I needed to be filled with an ocean of God’s love to handle this situation. For His Word tells us in

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

With God’s love we see the need to love His people out of the hands of the enemy!  God’s love is the purpose, and their freedom is the priority!

If you are like me and have many “lessons learned”, then use these lessons to redeem the times to never waste another opportunity.  I thank God that with His help we do not need to relearn “Wasted Opportunities”, He quietly reminds us of the past events and His mercy and grace ushers us on to our task placed before us.

Put on the mind of Christ, your armor of battle, listen for the call of your commander and be ready to act in the next opportunity set before you.  We are all “doing this life together”, one day at a time.

So, without regret, let’s get back to it!

Notes:

1. If you are new to this blog, please understand that I have a ministry in discipleship, so I challenge you and encourage you to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. All scripture is taken from NKJV unless otherwise noted.
3. The picture was taken by Christina Ayers, who granted permission to use it.
4. You can read more on “No Regrets” (Chapter 25) in “Tea Time With God; Treasures of the Heart”.
5. More blogs can be viewed at the following sites:

• debiayers.com
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• X: DebiDAyers

6. 6. To purchase your copy of “Tea Time With God; Treasures of the Heart”, click here
7. I also author a series of books titled “The Adventures of Maddie and Her Papaw”, which are sold on Amazon.