Opportunity

“When Peter saw he had a congregation, he addressed the people.”  (Acts 3.12)
As I age, I realize opportunities are far more infrequent than one ever thinks they will be.  It does not matter what the opportunity is about.  The opportunity could be the time you have with a friend.  It might be a career opportunity.  It could be the chance to say that you care.  Whatever the window is, rarely will be come by twice.  Every moment is, in a unique wonderful crazy and slightly out of control way, special.  The question for each that stumbles into the present, is one of response; will we, can we, make the most of the moment at hand?
One might think responding to the moment at hand presents a clear choice.  It may be for some, but for many “it” is a complex, chaotic, and problematic.  As I listened to a mentor on the subject, I found myself coming back to good reminders. 
First, in order for one to respond to the moment, one must be present in the moment.  Everything pivots on this.  Unless one abandons the future and the information that comes with it, one is unlikely to be fully, completely in the moment.
Second, to seize the moment, one must know who is in the present.  If you are unsure of yourself, the present will be a moment to search not act.  If you do not know what your values and priorities are, the present will be a moment to find not implement.  If you are hiding from the real person, you will either hide more or seek to find.
Third, if one is present and real, then the key ingredient to seize the opportunity is desire.  Life is not always fun, exciting, and rushed.  In every moment, there is a window for you and I to engage in the essence of real living.  The willingness to act knowing who we are and what we value is a combination God works with. 
This week a child of God gave me a fresh opportunity to live.