Winning in the Game of life (Part VII)

SEIZE THE MOMENT

“There comes a time, a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for which that person was born. That special opportunity when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission- a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment he finds greatness. It is his finest hour”.-  Sir Winston Churchill

I have come to realize that those who win in the game of life are those people who are always seeking for opportunities in life. Be it in business, in politics, in sports, or even in relationships and ministry. The opportunity seekers are the ones who make it. While everyone else may be sleeping, these people are always alert and ready to seize the opportunities before them. People who seek for opportunity will always prepare themselves for the same and when the opportunities come their way they are ready. They anticipate it and are ready to pounce on it once it shows up.  

While a whole nation was paralyzed by fear and that fear blurred their vision from seeing the opportunity right in front of them; one young courageous man called David, saw it, in fact it was so big to miss seeing. It was a Giant named Goliath, and when David saw his opportunity, he ran towards it and seized it and the rest as they say is history. That is what happens to those who see the opportunities before them. Instead of complaining and focusing on the obstacles before them, they see their opportunities and seize them. Someone has said that opportunities look bigger going than coming. Meaning that most of us realize a little too late the opportunity we have just missed. So open your eyes and see the opportunities that are there right before you.

It is not enough to seek for and see the opportunities before us, it is imperative that we seize them. According to Richard Branson of the Virgin Group, “You always have to be ready to capitalize on chances.” In leadership and in winning, nothing is more crucial than timing. If we fail to strike while the iron is still hot we will not be able to cut it. Twice in the New Testament the Apostle Paul admonishes us thus, “Making the most of every opportunity.”

We make the most of every opportunity that comes to us by seizing them. Being at the right place at the right time is very vital in life. Mordecai told Esther, “Who knows why you are in the Kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Like a good striker in the game of football, we must know how to strategically position ourselves, be at the right place at the right time in order to score. It doesn’t matter how well the team plays, at the end of the 90 minutes or the extra time, it is the team that made the most of the opportunities that came before them, however few are, that wins the game.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – [Ephesians 5:15, 16]

Winning in the Game of life (Part VI)

Many times I hear of stories of some “great men” and they say that they are self made men, in other words their success is as a result of their own sweat. But really, there is nothing like a self made man. Like Galileo of old once said, “If I have seen far, it is because I have stood upon the shoulders of giants”.  You cannot succeed alone you need others. One is too small for significance.

The twelve chapter of Hebrew begins with these words, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,” Seeing that we have such a crowd or cloud (for some people it’s the same) of witnesses, people who have gone before us; people who faced the same challenges that we are facing and even tougher challenges but refused to give up, we cannot afford to give up. In soccer we call it the twelfth man, which is the spectators, the cheering squad gives us that extra advantage that we so much need. Those spectators could be your children, both natural and spiritual, your fans even if it’s just your spouse, or even your coach and all those who believe in you. You need these people in your life to cheer you on as you run your race. It’s not just about you; it’s about others as well.

During the dark days of depression, there was a Pastor in Seoul Korea who because of the hard times was contemplating suicide. Things were so bad that he thought the best way was to give up and end his life. But as he was about to plunge himself down from his Church’s balcony, he had a voice telling him, “If you plunge yourself down from this point, you will begin a generation of people who will plunge themselves down”. In other words, he was going to start a generation of losers, people who give up. I’m glad he heeded to that voice and today he Pastors one of the largest churches in the world.

This morning I received my own personal copy of a book, “The success Kit” written by a young man who only a few years ago was on the verge of giving up on life and today is a founder of a group of companies. What could have happened if he gave up? What could have happened if the Heroes of faith gave up? There would be no cloud of witnesses.

There have been times I have felt like giving up in my marriage, but when I remember the many couples I have walked through even difficult patches in their own marriages, I cannot but soldier on. I have reached where I am today because of the several people that have had an impact on my life. Starting with my spiritual Father, the late C. Earl Stubbs (who has since joined that cloud of witnesses); my life coach, my best friend and buddy Pastor George of ICC, my wife who is my greatest cheer leader, and last but not least my spiritual and natural children whom I am an example to. I cannot afford to fail them. These are the people that have made me who I am.

Which people do you have in your life? Who is speaking into your life? Who are you impacting as you move along life’s journey? Remember, winning in the game of life requires other people in your life.

“Pay no attention to what the critics say: no statue has ever been erected to a critic.”

                                                                                                                     – Jean Sibelius