Golden Opportunities: Hard Choices - Part 2

When Jesus said, "Whatsoever you wish men would do to you, do so to them," he was teaching that the essence of righteousness is constructively doing good, not just avoiding sin. It means to create opportunities to do good by being proactive, earnestly seeking to incorporate this command into everyday life. It may require stretching to the limits of your sincerity, faith and patience.

Don't be fooled into thinking you can achieve this command in your own strength. It’s the presence of the Holy Spirit reminding, enabling and encouraging you to seize the moment. "Whatsoever you wish men would do to you," demands a desire to see good things happen to others.

The statement, "You never know what life is like for others until you have walked in their shoes," involves imagining yourself in that person’s position regardless of who that person happens to be. How about that? Would you even consider it? This is what the Golden Rule is asking you to practice each day.  

Golden Opportunities: Hard Choices - Part 1

The Jewish Rabbi Hillel was humorously challenged to teach the whole law while standing on one foot. Here’s his response: "What you do not like done to you, do not do to others. This is the entire law." The Golden Rule is based on "Love your neighbor as yourself." Can you love yourself, as this commandment intends?

Self-love includes the soul's desire for the essential enrichment that God provides. Loving your neighbor means believing he or she is worthy of the best that God makes available. One thing is for sure, bitterness, hate, anger and too much pride are incompatible with loving oneself as God intended.

Doing to others as you would have them do to you requires vigilance devoted to monitoring your attitudes, motives and actions. A desire to love God with your entire being must come first. Then be aware of opportunities that come your way, and deliberately choose to practice kindness, patience and goodness. These comprise the Golden Rule. God will reward your commitment to do so.  

Seize Opportunity: It's Our Responsibility - Part 3

The success of a worthy mission or project depends on participants being accountable and submissive. Some people bristle at the thought of being accountable by thinking it’s an invasion of privacy. However, most opportunities require accountability and submissiveness to rules and procedures that ensure tasks are completed within an acceptable time frame.

Regardless of how promising an opportunity appears, obstructions such as impure thoughts and motives can block success. Self-centeredness can discourage others from providing positive input that promotes your own success. If you become sealed off emotionally and spiritually, you put yourself on a narrow pathway where you may stumble and fall.

God intends for you to successfully navigate through obstructions. He encourages you to constantly renew your mind with the truth of his word so you will be ready to take advantage of opportunities sent your way. Being accountable and submissive is possible. God empowers you with strength and determination to do so.  

Seize Opportunity: It's Our Responsibility - Part 2

Being created a little lower than angels is an awesome thought. Have you considered the implications for opportunities this makes available to you? What robs us of God’s blessings is our refusal to be accountable and submissive to the requirements the responsibility demands. Another issue is that we permit obstructions to block our advancement toward achievable goals.

Obstructions can be other people's needs that distract us from reaching our objectives. Misconceptions attached to anger, greed, or self-doubt become obstructions that interfere with reaching objectives. Lying, covering up facts, or any deceptive behavior that hides the truth are considered obstructions.

A man explained how he allowed fear to become an impediment to his happiness at work by robbing him of opportunities to excel within the company. As God's creation, we are accountable to him for opportunities he gives us and how we use our gifts and talents. He rewards those abundantly who trust him and act responsibly.  

Seize Opportunity: It's Our Responsibility - Part 1

What makes human beings unique from other species is our ability to feel and think and to come to logical conclusions. Listen to Hebrews 2:7 from J. B. Phillips' The New Testament in Contemporary English. "What is man and woman that you bother with them; why take a second look their way? You made them not quite as high as angels. Then you put them in charge of your world."

With responsibility comes opportunity, but also accountability for how choices are managed. Another component of responsibility is submissiveness, which in its healthiest sense demands compliance and obedience to authority. Submissiveness implies honesty and truthfulness, which are an absolute necessity for every facet of life.

If opportunity is not seized at the moment of availability, it may be forever lost. Opportunity may mean saving a relationship that has deteriorated, but could with major effort be turned around. God puts us at the crossroads of life to offer us a chance to evaluate what's important. Submitting to that opportunity is your choice.