Missed Opportunities

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10 

A recent survey conducted by Johns Hopkins University asked almost 8,000 college students at 48 different colleges what they considered the most important thing about their lives. The number one answer, by a whopping 75%, said their primary goal was, “finding a purpose and meaning to my life.” According to the Bible, that will be a fruitless search for these young men and women apart from their Creator. Apart from a relationship with God, all the money they make, stocks and bonds they own, promotions they receive, and notoriety they achieve will amount to nothing of lasting value.

Life without God is like running in circles…you work hard but get nowhere. What a frustrating and sad way to live! Praise be to God that because of His grace extended to us in Jesus Christ, we aren’t doomed to this rat-race of a life. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are the very handiwork of Creator God. And not only did God Himself make us…He made us with a specific purpose. We have been, “Created in Christ Jesus for good works.” And not only did He create us for honorable work, He has already prepared this work for us, “…which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

What this means is that God has gone before us, preparing the way for us to use the gifts, talents, and abilities He created in us for good works. Let this truth sink in and it could be life-changing. How differently might we live if we saw each day as filled with opportunities that God has already provided for us to do good works? In His own words Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16).

This is how our lives truly matter. Not by achieving the world’s idea of success, but by shining the light of Christ into the darkness. The opportunities have been prepared. We only need to open our eyes and hearts to see them – and to be brave enough to seize them.

Father, Open my eyes to the opportunities You have already prepared for me to do good works today. Soften my heart towards others. And give me the courage to follow where Your Spirit leads me. In Jesus’ name, amen.