Concerning opportunity

By Lanre Oyetade

Each day is a time of opportunity - Gbenga Efueye

Sometime back, I wrote on the issue of luck and concluded, like Fred Siegel did, quoting George S. Clason, that luck is no more than opportunity meeting preparation, and that luck is actually enhanced by diligence and quickness in taking decisions.

Today, I would like to expatiate on the issue of opportunity as I have been privileged to learn from the feet of a number of mentors.

Does opportunity come just once?
The saying that ‘opportunity comes but once’ cannot be any further from the truth as, in fact, opportunity presents itself with every dawning day, with every passing moment. Also the existence of a relationship is an opportunity, which may be employed to move forward in life.

Opportunity and progress
My pastor, Gbenga Efueye, insists that change is brought about by opportunity. Says he: “Positive change is brought about as a result of how well opportunity is utilised.”

How well you use today’s opportunity determines what your situation will be tomorrow. And one opportunity well utilised does indeed beget another and life is in fact a chain of opportunities.

Where to find opportunities
Firstly, you find opportunities in challenges. There is an opportunity in every challenge. For instance, David had his opportunity presented when Israel was challenged by Goliath. Goliath actually represented warfare but in that warfare laid David’s opportunity.

The lesson here is that we ought not to despair when challenges present themselves, for they are there for a purpose and if well tackled and overcome, the challenged will have only good tidings to bear.

Secondly, opportunities are engendered when right risks are taken. The opportunity to make wealth from the stock market may only be actualised if one is willing to take the risk of investing, for it is indeed a risk, as you stand to lose almost as well as you stand to gain.

In the Scriptures, the widow of Zarepath risked her last meal in faith and subsequently got abundant supplies.

Things to note about opportunity
You must be ready to embrace little opportunities and even be enthusiastic about them. Every successful man would most probably have a story of embracing several ‘little’ opportunities before the big break came.

As a matter of fact, there are actually no little opportunities. Each opportunity that presents itself now is actually one that is good enough for the present time.

Moreover, ensure that you are always prepared for opportunities for they shall always present themselves. We read last week that luck is no more than preparation meeting opportunity.

Thus un-preparedness brings ill luck. The level we attain in life is indicative of the level of preparation we make and our readiness to take advantage of opportunities when they eventually present themselves.

Your level of education, manner of speaking, deeds, manner of dressing, etc, are all means of preparing for opportunities, for you never know when the opportunity will present itself and equally do not know just who is watching you or who you will meet at any particular moment.

Finally, make the best of opportunities. If you are put in a position of authority for instance, because you are found worthy of that position, then do not abuse the opportunity and trust reposed in you.

Remember that opportunity when well utilised does indeed beget other (usually greater) opportunities.

For those who keep making requests for information about Club Inspirati, the club is finally billed for inauguration on Saturday, August 02, 2008, at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos, commencing from 10 am, and details of the event will be sent to all intending members who have sent in their email addresses.

For those that have sent in their email addresses but have not received updates on the club, you are advised to check both your inbox and bulk box because these mails have a way of straying into bulk boxes.

Please note that every one of us will be expected to be at the inauguration for necessary membership processing, among some other things.

Until we meet again next week, please remain inspired in His presence.