Opportunities come and go; it’s what we do with that opportunity that counts. Every one of us will come face to face with an opportunity at least once in our life, and most likely far more than that. A real and valuable opportunity does not present itself every day so we must be ready to do something with it when it does come.
For me, in this last week a once and a lifetime opportunity presented itself. I still find it difficult to believe it. I will realize that exciting opportunity tonight (Tuesday Oct. 24th) when I will attend Game 1 of the 113th MLB World Series in Los Angeles and watch my Dodgers play for the Championship!! This is an opportunity I never even imagined! The odds were off the chart – 0!
Last week my brother mentioned that a co-worker of his had a sister that works for the Los Angeles Dodgers and might get him tickets. I didn’t give it too much thought though. I will save you all the intricacies of this story, but I figured I had a 1% shot at going, but as the week went on I felt my odds were slightly growing. It looked more likely that he would get tickets. I still only gave myself a 20% chance of going. (Yes – I do like percentages and numbers. Almost as much as Christmas – which is only 62 days away)!
Even with that very small chance I began to plan and prepare for that slight possibility. On Friday afternoon my brother called me and it was now 100% that I was indeed going to go and watch the Los Angeles Dodgers play in the World Series. After the fact finally set in (if it even has yet) I may have squealed!
Some people become fans of certain teams, but I was born a Dodger fan. My grandparents and parents have been die-hard Dodger fans since they were younger than me. In fact, my Grandma got to see Jackie Robinson play when she was in high school. She loves to tell the story of that game; she saw Jackie steal second base and home plate! And my brother and I will certainly be thinking of my Grandpa, who passed away earlier this year, when we’re at the game. He would be thrilled to see his Dodgers in the World Series.
Though I was only seven, I still remember the Dodgers last trip to the top. The 1988 Dodgers with Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser are still ingrained in my memory. It seems like only yesterday. The only thing I can say is, “How ‘bout them Dodgers!”
There is an opportunity that might be waiting for you right now, one far more important than a ball game. If it isn’t there yet, it could be just around the corner. Are you ready for it? If the answer is “yes” – great! If your answer is “no,” that’s okay. Just be willing to walk through that door when opportunity knocks.
The opportunities that come our way could be life-changing. They might send us on a new course. They might be personal or professional, spiritual or emotional. Your life could be altered, and others around you are sure to be affected too. What you do with the opportunity before you, could have lasting benefits or consequences. What will you do when opportunity knocks on your door?
The hard part though is when God knocks He is usually gentle. He lightly raps on the door. We wish He would just bang on it so we KNOW it’s Him. We often wonder if it’s Him who is knocking. When you hear that gentle knock; pause and then answer the door – it just might be Jesus with an opportunity He wants you to answer. Then be willing to walk out the door with Him, because He will prepare you to answer! Follow Jesus wherever and to whatever He leads you to.
When opportunity knocks, answer the door! I did, and that’s why tonight I will be at Dodger Stadium rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series!!! I will definitely remember this day for many years to come; but I hope the next opportunity I have has more far reaching eternal benefits than this.
Until then though – I will enjoy making the most of this opportunity.
Go Dodgers!!
Randall Jeffrey