Which came first, the chicken of the egg?

 

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Which comes first in life, opportunity or faith?

Faith is being sure of what we do not yet see.  (Hebrews 11:1)  Will you see the opportunity if you don't have faith?  Will you miss an opportunity if you don't have faith?  Could you walk past this opportunity each day and not realize it is for you?  The answer is, Yes!  Let me explain... 

I started teaching "aerobics" after participating in classes for many years.  After a few years, this business,( Energy in Motion) closed but soon another opportunity was placed before me.  (Stretch Your Faith.)  Then I was asked to teach Senior classes at another Fitness Center (Westmoreland Athletic Club)as well. 

What does this all have to do with faith, you ask?  I had many opportunities through those years, but I didn't know it was God's hand directing me behind the scenes as they say. (Proverbs 16:1) I just knew that I loved my job and was good at it.  Now after years of teaching I started to get burned out.  I thought I was going to own a cheesecake business.  Yep, I was going to supply cheesecakes to restaurants and have a small shop where people would come and eat slices of cheesecake and drink tea.  I gave up my position as Active Older Adult Advisor at the YMCA and began to make myself known.

  My friend Sheri took over at the YMCA.  But Sheri was not happy at the YMCA and I was not doing very well in the cheesecake business.  On top of that, my hands developed eczema.  After seeing a holistic doctor, it was determined that this was caused by a gluten intolerance.  Let me tell you, it's difficult to make cheesecakes without using gluten.  Sheri decided to go back to school for Medical Coding, whatever that is, so I took my position back at the YMCA.  I was refreshed and renewed, knowing that I was where I was supposed to be.  

If I hadn't taken "aerobics classes" or hadn't accepted the job to teach, if I hadn't become a Stretch Your Faith instructor, or taught Senior classes, where would I be now.  As I look back on the twists and turns of my life, I see God's hands all over it.  If I hadn't developed eczema or gone back to the YMCA, I wouldn't have been able to minister to many Active Older Adults daily as I read devotionals at the end of class or offer prayers at our luncheons, meetings, and the close of my Christian Yoga class.  Not to mention the daily opportunities to share my love and belief in my God through numerous conversations. 

I truly believe this was God's plan for me before I was knit together in my mother's womb.  Did I have this faith while all this was unfolding in my life?  No way.  It wasn't until I looked back that I could see it.  And now that I have this faith, I can look forward to letting God continue to direct my steps.  

So, which came first, faith or opportunity?  I don't think it matters as long as we trust that our God wants the best for us.  If you're not sure, take a quick glance back and see where He has led you through the hard times and has sent blessings just when you need them.  Don't doubt, have faith!