Experts describe opportunity as an occurrence, a moment or an event that ushers a person into profit or promotion. Opportunity assumes different forms such as failure, misfortune, hardship, pressing need, ill-health as well as favourable circumstance or advantage. Every opportunity shows up as a challenge, advantage or a task which enables a person to gainfully exercise his or her talents, potentials and gifts. Opportunities can be subtle and complicated; hence people sit on numerous opportunities and even walk past them without noticing them. Identifying opportunities require skills and training. Highlighting the usefulness of seizing opportunities whenever they show up, Apostle Paul says: “Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all people...” (Galatians 6:10). “Be careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15,16). It is an expression of wisdom to seek opportunity to do good to fellow human beings. Seven D’s to effectively capture opportunities are enumerated below.
1. DARE TO UPROOT DISTURBING ADVERSITIES AND DIFFICULT TIMES.
Bemoaning hardship, scarcity and adversity is a fruitless emotional exercise. Reward and profit come when we stretch ourselves to terminate and eliminate such challenges. It takes hard work and sensible search for answers and solution- one word for that could be determination.
2. DRIVE YOUR VISION AND SET PLANS PERSISTENTLY
Do your best to assess and analyse your vision and plans. Seek superior counsel and get great ideas from experts in the field. Once the vision and plans are established, drive them with the stubbornness of a mule.
3. DRAW QUICK COURAGE TO RISE AFTER A FALL
Human frailties create room for falling, but it will be an offence to lie prostrate like a dead person in the place you have fallen. You must determine to rise and summon the needed energy and courage to get up and forge ahead. Rising and continuing the race is the mark of champions.
4. DISCOVER YOUR HIDING NATURAL ABILITIES AND USE THEM
Do you know that some expensive abilities in you which you have not discovered lie idle like waste inside a litter bin? You have to watch the things which you enjoy doing and convert them into your vocations that can fetch you income. You can equally align your career with all the endowments you carry so that you become a guru in your profession.
5. DON’T LOITER IN A COMFORT ZONE
Don’t dwell at your bread and butter table and refuse to notice hurts and hunger around you. Learn to take the reasonable risk of stepping out of such comfort zone to solve pressing problems. Jesus Christ told his followers, “...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Light is appreciated when it shines in darkness, brightening and removing the darkness of human predicaments and sufferings. No task should be allowed to linger in your presence. Necessary zeal, effort, sweat, money, energy and deep thinking have to be put in place to ensure that tasks are done with the speed of light and the swiftness of a cheetah.
6. DESIRE COMPETENCE AND THE EXCELLENCE IT BRINGS.
Don’t be satisfied with shabby performance. Rather work hard and carry out tasks in the most superior way that catches people’s interest. Take delight in acquiring more skills to improve yourself and enhance the quality of your work. Prominence comes to people through the avenue of competence. The wise man knew that and remarks, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29).
7. DRAW GRACE TO LIVE RIGHT AND BE LOYAL.
Where does one gain this rare attribute called GRACE? It is an invisible reservoir of valuables and treasures. All you need for life and godliness are in it. Values and virtues flow from it. All you need is to locate its source. Grace empowers you to be loyal to policies, decisions and laid-down rules despite the inconveniences; an attitude which is called self-discipline. Self-discipline, which grace occasions, carries as a major content the virtue of obedience. True love and loyalty which we show God, man and organizations are often measured with the yardstick of obedience and the latter begets cooperativeness. Where does this great thing called GRACE come from? The Bible says, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Fountain of grace springs forth in you the moment you turn to Jesus Christ for help and pardon, and accept him as your Lord and personal Saviour. Grace avails one of numerous opportunities to live fruitfully and do exploits for God.
These seven D’s when sincerely imbibed in day to day living will make people come face to face with great opportunities and great achievements.
