Most of us have a new 2013 calendar hanging on the wall. Some may have several depending on their lifestyles. I like a calendar with pretty photos that speak to me. Last year my calendar was a photo album of the wonders of the natural world. Each month I got to see a glimpse of God's handiwork in nature. It was truly refreshing.
This year I chose a calendar with inspirational sayings on it. It caught my eye as I was walking through Sam's club and I had to have it. On the first page (with the last four months of 2012) is a beautiful mountain scene. The word EXCELLENCE is written across the bottom with an inspirational line under it. It says "Some excel because they are destined to, most excel because they are determined to." January's inspiration is "Opportunity: Creat a path where there is none. A world of possibilities lies ahead."
Never have I read words with more truth to them. To the casual observer it may seem that they are just pretty words on a page but these words convey a deeper meaning. There are some who seem to have opportunity handed to them on a silver platter but most of us have to create our own opportunities. It is true that God wants us to trust him but as the book of James says, "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:17). In this life nothing is free. You may have been given something but someone paid for it.
We can create so much of our destiny with how we feel about life. If we look at the negative we will get negative results. If we look at the positive, thanking God for each new day, we will reap the benefits. The world is full of self help, make-me-feel-good books that will tell you the same thing. Because of this, it is so easy to blow off the words as just hype. For the child of God, however, these words should take on even more meaning. As the late Rev. Mike Edge, missionary to Mexico and Honduras once told me, "Why be discouraged? You have your whole life in front of you." It is so true.
With Jesus on my side I truly can do anything. Yes, I'm human, so I will make mistakes. But with Jesus on my side, I can always get up again. And though I may fail a test, I will never be a failure if I follow Jesus. His road leads to victory. The opportunites he creates will be worth the journey. Don't look back years from now and wish you had done things differently. Seize the moment and do something. God can't stear a parked car. If you begin to drive he will direct you into paths you would never had dreamed possible. Don't be afraid to try. If you see an opportunity take it. If not, ask God to help you create one of your own. The ideas He gives will always work. Jesus never fails!
God Bless,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
