Opportunities

I was our school contestant to a Metro Manila spelling contest. I prepared hard for it and I was so excited. However, we got lost on our way to the venue. By the time we arrived, the contest had already started and I was no longer allowed to participate.

When I was just starting my career, I was called to a job interview with a large multinational company. When I got there, I was intimidated by the number of candidates who all seemed more qualified and confident than me. I got cold feet and decided not to proceed with the second interview.

Missed opportunities. Who knows what blessings awaited me if I only showed up on time, or simply showed up? Sometimes, that’s all God asks – just turn up.

I got my first job in Canada because at the exact time I was handing in my resume, the hiring manager happened to be there to pick up the resumes. I introduced myself and said I was interested to work for her. By the time I got home, I already received a call for a job interview.

Despite initial misgivings, I decided to attend the marriage retreat with Jojo last April. Because of that, I received a book that planted a desire in my heart to start writing my reflections.

Seized opportunities. I was there where I was supposed to be at the precise moment. God asked me to turn up and I did.

If you’re not there when manna falls from heaven, how can you receive it? If you’re not there when a brother/sister shares, how can you be uplifted? If you’re not there to listen to a teaching, how can you grow in understanding?

When opportunities come, may our response always be “Here I am.”

The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:8-10)