As the school year comes to an end, we teachers often find ourselves being somewhat reflective. Reflecting on student success. Reflecting on our teaching. Reflecting on what we wished we had time to do. We also often reflect on student progress and make determinations on future opportunities. Once again, I found myself discussing these possibilities with our principal. Regarding one student, a comment along these lines was made. “He is  very smart and could easily do the level of work, but unfortunately his follow through and commitment to his learning is not where it needs to be.”

This comment left me wondering how often this happens. Students missing opportunities that they did not even realize were there or that they did not realize how close they were to it.

It then led me to start thinking about how often as adults we might miss things in the same way. Are there opportunities that we are sitting right next to but we miss them? Are there places in our life where taking one more step forward would open the door, but we turn around right before seeing it? How many opportunities are we missing?

In Bruce Wilkinson’s book Prayer of Jabez (student version), he tells the fictional story of a man getting to heaven to find a large storage unit full of wrapped packages. Gifts that had never been accepted or opened by the recipient. These boxes were given opportunities and gifts from God, but the recipients missed them.

In our faith walk, do we miss a place of growth because we are afraid to step off of our comfortable path? Are we jumping over opportunities because of our long range vision and desire to “get to the goal”? Are we missing the moments simply because we are not paying attention?

While Jesus walked the earth, He obviously had an ultimate goal that He was working toward. He came knowing what that would be and that He would give His life for mankind. Even with this end in mind, He still was engaged in the moments. He talked with the people He found in His path. He challenged those that were straying in their faith. He loved those that offered nothing to Him in return. He did not miss the moments. He did not miss the opportunities. He did not miss the wrapped packages.

Find time in your week to reflect on your walk. Are you intently looking for opportunities God has placed in your path? Are you purposefully using the gifts He has given you? Are you accepting the boxes with your name on them?

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”- Ephesians 2:10