My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: Daily Heartlight -- January 25, 2008

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January 25, 2008

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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

Missed Opportunities, by Alan Smith

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's
beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The
farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field
and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch
the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn
door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever
seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice
than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through
the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so
big and fierce in his life. It stood -- pawing the ground, grunting,
slinging slobber -- as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it
had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let
the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was
the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his
bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and
jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed ... but the bull had no
tail!

We may miss out altogether.

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of,
some will be difficult. But once we let them pass -- often in hopes of
something better -- those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often
opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to
minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an
influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps
because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss
out on them altogether.

Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray
for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his
message (Colossians 4:2-3 NCV).

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians
6:10).

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

---------
(c) 2008 Alan Smith <alansmith.servant@gmail.com>. Used by
permission. This devotional was reprinted from Thought for the
Day <http://www.TFTD-online.com>.

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Daily Heartlight -- January 25, 2008