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Unexpected Opportunities
By John W. Kennedy | February 18, 2008
An ice storm in Springfield, Mo., last week afforded employees at Assemblies of God headquarters to have two unscheduled days off work because of hazardous travel. Mercifully we didn’t lose power or trees at my home, both of which happened during last winter’s more potent ice disaster.
Rather than just sit around and eat and watch television, I took the opportunity to do some distasteful chores with my unexpected free time. The first day I cleaned out my side of the bedroom closet. Did I really need to squirrel away a dozen tote bags from various promotional giveaways? Probably don’t need to be saving all those receipts from 1994 either.
The second day I tackled another unpleasant chore: getting my 2007 receipts and forms ready for my tax preparer. I’m not looking forward to knowing how much I’ll have to pay, having cashed in an IRA last year to pay for the ice storm damage in the yard. Yet I’m grateful to have a yard and an income that is sufficient to pay taxes.
Upon reflection, both of these activities that I had been putting off are a reminder that this life isn’t the end. We can’t carry the clutter we accumulate into eternity. As 1 Tim. 6:7 declares, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
Likewise, an ice storm that disrupts our daily pattern serves as a reminder to make the most of the unanticipated opportunities the Lord provides. If God puts someone in your path who needs your time, talent or generosity, don’t miss the opening to be a blessing.
Topics: storms |
February 27th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I love your stuff.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for sending me the link to your blog. I will enjoy reading from it.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I enjoyed checking out your blog. While you all were sliding on the ice, we joined several of your fellow Springfieldians in Puerto Vallarta for the SW Region Missions Conference. Someone has to suffer
I haven’t entered the world of blogdom yet–hardly have time to update my website–but admire those who have.