When Opportunity Knocks

How many of us labor in relative obscurity or exist the same way we always have, and never see a way out? Our faith is there but it never reaches a level of expansion or we think getting away from our box of living is for someone else, not us. We fall into a trap of mediocrity and settle for far less than God wants us to have, not only in faith, or our health, or talent’s used, but also in income to name a few.

When was the last time you prayed the Prayer of Jabez …….”Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” 1 Chronicles 4:10

I remember praying this years ago when the book by the same name became popular, and soon after, ATB came to life. I was thinking more of money and opportunities, God was thinking more of souls and creating a new family. Funny how God delays some things until we are ready, but gives us blessings enough to keep us interested and hopeful. He definitely expanded my spiritual territory, blessed me in the process with a worthwhile endeavor for Him, and kept me from harm, although there were many moments of doubt that my business life would ever improve, especially at my age (somewhat over 40 and less than 95).

Just a few weeks ago, after watching a teaching on financial bondage, I finally just looked up to heaven and asked the Lord for a financial breakthrough figuring he had enough of my doubts in this area. Well, it didn’t take long for him to respond. First, we had waited almost 6 months to get a new oven because we just couldn’t afford one, there were other priorities. One day I began looking again after my request, and I found one I liked for about $499 after discount, so I prayed for that oven specifically.  My daughter and Logan had had about it with microwaving and cooking on the top of the stove (although we got pretty creative).

Next day I showed up for some early drawings at the auction figuring God had heard my plea. There were to be 2 early bird drawings for $500 apiece (that was to get people there early because they moved up the starting times). Didn’t get the first one, so I moved to the second area, and got shut out there too. But then they said, let’s try again (not planned), and you guessed it, they drew my number  Oh, that you would bless me. That’s the reason so many of you have seen the enormous excitement by Briana who posted a picture of it on Facebook. $499/$500 coincidence or prayer answered?

One after the other things began happening with money and opportunities. Then, this past Monday in the midst of one of my stores that I bought for being sold, the owner showed up while I was getting the inventory in line to thank me for helping them triple used car sales in the past 90 days. No more, than 10 minutes later and expand my territory, he impulsively comes back to me and offers me the chance to be his corporate used car manager (4 stores, with 500 used cars in inventory). I was floored!

Then, he began giving me details of what he wanted over a two day period, how he believed it could work, how I would report only to him and then laid out a financial compensation plan that more than doubled the most money I have ever made (6 years ago). He asked two specific things from me, one was trust,  Let your hand be with me, and the second was at least part-time relocation to Florida near his 3 main dealerships. (Wait a minute Lord, I didn’t ask for that one yet)……….and expand my territory kept coming back to mind.

All these years of labor without anyone really appreciating what I have done and now the offer that  a person may get once in a lifetime lays before me. And it hit me that if that offer had come a few years ago, there may not be an ATB because that was my assignment then to expand spiritually and struggle financially. Now, God is giving me a gift because I didn’t miss that assignment though I wavered on many occasions.

“Knock and the door will be opened to you, seek and you will find.” I knocked, the door opened in God’s timing, and the deal is still a work in progress as we negotiate the ability to continue to lead ATB. I have not forgotten where I came from, who led me there, and that he has kept me from harm even when harm was knocking at my door.

The point………don’t settle for mediocrity in our lives, live large in whatever capacity you can at the present moment, remembering that we are living first for Him, and second for everybody else. And, when opportunity knocks, don’t miss it!

Glenn

Oh by the way, did I mention that the Florida area is at the beach!