Be Ready!

When you have a goal, you should prepare and watch for opportunities.  “Luck” is what happens when preparation meets opportunity!  (I wish that were my own quote, but it is attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca.)

A great example is Rudy Ruettiger, the subject of the movie "Rudy" (see my blogpost dated 4/10/16).  Rudy prepared and did everything he possibly could to reach his goal, and he was prepared when the opportunity came to “dress” for a Notre Dame football game.  When he actually got on the field, he was ready!  He was as aggressive and determined as he had been for the previous four years in practice.  He made a big play in the last few seconds of the last game of his senior year, and he was carried off the field by his teammates!  I bet he was so glad he was ready for that game!

Another inspiring example is my own sister, Laurie.  Years ago, she had a goal and a desire to have her own company.  When the opportunity came, she was ready!  She set up the company and began running her own business from one day to the next.  She was able to do that because she was prepared and had planned ahead, and she was ready for the opportunity when it arrived.

In addition, Laurie really inspires me because she turned disappointments and any regrets she had in life into a book!  She is the author of "Beyond Regret - Living Your Life Purpose in Spite of Past Choices" (Silver Path Resources, 2015).

Yes, preparation is the key.  Good intentions get us nowhere, unless we are willing to turn them into action.  Intentional action begins with the first step, and steady action keeps growing and accumulating, making us prepared for opportunities.  Then, we are ready when “luck” knocks on our door!

Devotion

Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.  Proverbs 20:4 (NLT)

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.  Psalm 119:89 (NIV)

Prayer:

Lord, you want us to be prepared for opportunities.  You don’t want us to be lazy and sluggish!  You have purposes for our lives, and you want us to be prepared when circumstances change, sometimes suddenly.  Today, I pray that you will help us to prepare, turn our good intentions into action, and move us forward toward our goals.  Only then will we be ready for opportunities that you provide at just the right time!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski

Psalm 139

It’s easy to get discouraged.  I had that kind of week.  I tossed and turned and had trouble sleeping.  When I get discouraged, my goals fall by the wayside.

I seek the Lord in the early morning hours to pray for His guidance, wisdom, strength, and joy.  After praying for my family, friends, and others, I turn over my worries and concerns one by one to God.  I earnestly seek His direction and leading for the day.

I ponder the greatness of God.  He is the Master of the universe.  He is the Creator of all things!  Does he care about my little problems in the vastness of space and time and the universe, which are things that I cannot fathom?  Does He love me, even when I don’t feel loved?  My morning devotion today pointed me to Genesis 16:7-14.  In verse 13, Hagar called God, “the One who sees me.”  That verse really helped me.  Then I read all of Psalm 139 out loud.  “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?”  (Verse 7)  “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely.”  (Verse 4)

God, our Creator, knows everything and He sees everything.  My strength is renewed!

Discouragement sometimes comes without warning.  Be willing to pray about it.  I believe that a good spiritual meal of prayer and Bible study will help you push the discouragement aside.  Some fresh spiritual renewal can be just what you need to begin again and move forward with your goals.  It may even help you to get a good night’s sleep!

Today, read Psalm 139 out loud!

Devotion

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  Psalm 139:9-10 (RSV)

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.  For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.  Psalm 24:1-2 (NLT)

Prayer:

Lord, you have shown me that you are there when I seek you.  You are there even if I don’t seek you!  In times of discouragement, I have experienced the reality of receiving strength, peace, and joy from you.  I thank you, and I ask for these blessings for those who need encouragement today.  May they be led and inspired by you to build a foundation of daily prayer and study of your Word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski

Sparkle

Years ago, I learned a big lesson about goal setting.  Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time, but later I looked back and realized that the lesson has stayed with me all these years.  The lesson is simple:  your perspective on challenges in your life will determine your goal-setting success.

I was facing an enormous challenge in my job at that time, and I was feeling discouraged and defeated.  Just at my lowest point, my assistant, Dawn, came into my office and smiled as she said, “Now is your chance to shine!”

Dawn’s words changed my mindset instantly.  Her enthusiastic comment and her bright smile were just the encouragement I needed in that moment.  Thankfully, my perspective opened up to see the challenge as an opportunity!  I set goals and with Dawn’s help, we successfully transformed the challenge into an achievement.

I thought about it again today because Dawn sent me a message to remind me to “sparkle.”  I smiled as I remembered her encouraging words long ago that helped me to change my perspective and motivated me to set goals.

You see, a challenging situation presents a fork in the road for us.  We can respond by complaining about it, which leads us down the road of discouragement and defeat, or we can respond by choosing to see the challenge as an opportunity.  When you see the opportunity, you can set goals and begin to achieve something great!

That was a simple lesson I learned long ago, but a very critical one.  Just imagine if Dawn had not come to my office that day and shared her message for me… I surely would have continued down the wrong path, and no goals would have been established to tackle the challenge.  Although I didn't realize it at the time, it was a defining moment in my life, and I thank her for making it happen!

Next time you face a challenging situation, whether at home or at work, look at it as a fork in the road.  Recognize that you have a choice.  Are you going to sparkle and shine, or will you be dull and defeated?  When you choose to see the challenge as an opportunity, and you set goals and take steps to face the challenge, you will definitely Sparkle and Shine!

Devotion

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.  Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the friends in our lives who speak kind words to encourage our hearts.  Thank you for my friend Dawn, who encouraged me and opened my eyes to see a challenge as an opportunity, and helped me to achieve success.  I pray for those who are facing challenges and I ask you to help them recognize the opportunities they have to set goals and achieve success.  Bless them with your wisdom, love, and guidance in their lives, and lead them to seek your will.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski