Embracing God's Timing: Seizing Present Opportunities
Summary
Life unfolds in a series of seasons, each with its own unique opportunities and challenges. God, in His wisdom, orchestrates these seasons not according to our convenience, but according to His divine timetable. Too often, we become so preoccupied with our own plans, regrets about the past, or anxieties about the future that we fail to recognize and seize the opportunities God places before us in the present. The only time we truly have is now, and it is in this “now” that God calls us to act, to trust, and to grow.
Throughout history and in our own lives, we see that God’s timing—His kairos—is rarely aligned with our kronos, our human schedules and preferences. The Israelites, after centuries of bondage, stood on the threshold of the Promised Land during a season of ripe fruit, a clear sign of God’s appointed time. Yet, paralyzed by fear and a victim mentality, they missed their moment, choosing comfort and familiarity over faith and obedience. Their story is a warning: opportunities from God are time-sensitive and do not wait for our readiness or convenience.
Every season, even those filled with adversity, contains both obstacles and possibilities. Challenges are not merely problems to be avoided, but opportunities for God to reveal His power and for us to grow in faith, resilience, and creativity. The giants in the land were real, but so was the promise of God. Littleness is a state of mind, not a measure of God’s ability to work through us. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains and transform obstacles into stepping stones.
Seasons of opportunity are fleeting. Like the Olympic athlete who trains relentlessly, knowing his window of peak performance is brief, we must recognize that spiritual opportunities do not last forever. Procrastination, fear, or waiting for perfect conditions can cause us to miss out on God’s best. When God opens a door, we must step through it, trusting that He equips those He calls.
Ultimately, Jesus Himself modeled perfect sensitivity to God’s timing. His season of sacrifice did not come at His convenience and was filled with suffering, yet He embraced it for our salvation. Because of His faithfulness, we are invited to live with purpose, courage, and readiness, making the most of every opportunity God gives us. Let us live like we know what time it is—the season of our opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- Recognize and Embrace the Present Season
God regulates our lives through seasons, each with its own opportunities. The temptation to dwell on the past or anxiously await the future can blind us to what God is doing right now. The only time we truly possess is the present, and it is in this “now” that God calls us to act and trust Him. [12:32]
- God’s Timing Is Not Our Timing
Opportunities from God rarely arrive when we feel ready or comfortable. Like the Israelites or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we may be called into action at inconvenient or unexpected times. Aligning our lives with God’s kairos, rather than insisting on our own kronos, is essential for experiencing His purpose and blessing. [36:50]
- Challenges Are Opportunities in Disguise
What we often label as problems are, in fact, opportunities for growth and revelation. God uses adversity to draw out hidden strengths, deepen our faith, and prepare us for greater things. Seeing challenges through the lens of faith transforms obstacles into divine opportunities. [26:17]
- Seasons of Opportunity Are Temporary
No season lasts forever. Opportunities are time-sensitive and must be seized while they are available. Procrastination or waiting for perfect conditions can result in missed blessings, unfulfilled potential, and lasting regret. Make the most of the time and opportunities God gives you. [45:03]
- Faith Overcomes the Victim Mentality
A mindset of “littleness” or inadequacy can cause us to shrink back from God-given opportunities. Faith, even if small, enables us to face giants and unfavorable conditions with courage. Focus on God’s greatness rather than your limitations, and trust that He will equip you for every season. [41:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - Personal Reflections and Acknowledgments
[04:54] - Honoring Seasoned Citizens
[08:31] - The Meaning of Seasons in Life
[10:26] - Remembering Life’s Difficult Seasons
[12:32] - Missing the Present Opportunity
[14:40] - Kairos vs. Kronos: God’s Time and Our Time
[17:15] - Three Types of People and Opportunity
[21:48] - Israel’s Missed Opportunity
[23:52] - God’s Deliverance in Every Season
[26:17] - Problems as Opportunities
[28:47] - Israel’s Kairos Moment
[31:39] - Seasons Don’t Come at Our Convenience
[39:51] - Unfavorable Conditions in Every Season
[45:03] - Seasons Are Temporary
[52:03] - Jesus and the Ultimate Season of Opportunity
[53:20] - Living Ready for God’s Opportunity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Season of Opportunity
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### Bible Reading
- Numbers 13:20
“...Now the time was the season of the first ripe fruits.”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Numbers 13:20, what was significant about the timing when the Israelite spies entered the Promised Land? What does the phrase “the season of the first ripe fruits” suggest about God’s timing? ([04:54])
2. According to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, what are some of the different seasons mentioned, and what do they teach us about the nature of life? ([08:31])
3. In the sermon, what were the three types of people described in relation to opportunity, and how did each group respond to the seasons in their lives? ([17:15])
4. What was the Israelites’ response when faced with the opportunity to enter the Promised Land, and what reasons did they give for their hesitation? ([41:10])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to send the spies into the land during the “season of the first ripe fruits”? What might this reveal about how God presents opportunities to us? ([28:47])
2. The sermon describes “kairos” (God’s time) and “kronos” (human time). How does misunderstanding these two types of time affect our ability to recognize and act on God-given opportunities? ([14:40])
3. The Israelites saw themselves as “grasshoppers” compared to the giants in the land. How does a “victim mentality” or a sense of “littleness” impact our willingness to step into God’s opportunities? ([41:10])
4. The preacher said, “Opportunities do not wait until we are ready; they come when God sends them, not when it’s convenient for us.” What are some reasons people might miss their season of opportunity? ([36:50])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that “the only time we truly have is now.” Is there an area of your life where you are stuck in the past or anxious about the future, and it’s keeping you from embracing what God is doing right now? What would it look like to live more fully in the present? ([12:32])
2. Can you think of a recent situation where you sensed God opening a door, but you hesitated because it wasn’t convenient or you didn’t feel ready? What held you back, and what might you do differently next time? ([36:50])
3. The preacher said, “What you characterize as a problem is really God trying to grow you by sending an opportunity in disguise.” Identify a current challenge in your life. How might you reframe it as an opportunity for growth or faith? ([26:17])
4. Seasons of opportunity are temporary. Is there something you know God is calling you to do, but you’ve been putting it off? What practical step can you take this week to move forward before the season passes? ([45:03])
5. The Israelites missed their opportunity because of fear and a sense of inadequacy. Are there “giants” in your life that make you feel too small to act? How can you focus on God’s greatness instead of your limitations? ([41:10])
6. Jesus embraced His season of sacrifice even though it was inconvenient and filled with suffering. Is there a difficult season you are being called to embrace for the sake of others or for God’s purpose? What would it look like to follow Jesus’ example in this? ([52:03])
7. The preacher encouraged us to “live like we know what time it is—the season of our opportunity.” What is one specific way you can be more alert and ready for God’s opportunities in your daily life? ([53:20])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for discernment to recognize the season you are in, courage to step through the doors He opens, and faith to trust His timing over your own.
Devotional
Day 1: Recognize the Season of Opportunity
God orchestrates our lives through a series of times and seasons, each with its own unique opportunities and challenges. Just as nature moves through cycles of planting and harvest, joy and sorrow, so too do our lives ebb and flow with moments that are divinely appointed. The key is to discern the season you are in and to be attentive to the opportunities God is placing before you right now. Too often, we become preoccupied with the past or anxious about the future, missing the blessings and growth that are available in the present. Embrace the now, for it is filled with golden moments, faith-building dilemmas, and growth opportunities that God has designed specifically for you. [10:26]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Reflection: What is one opportunity or challenge in your life right now that you have been overlooking because you are focused on the past or worried about the future? How can you embrace and act on it today?
Day 2: Move in God’s Timing, Not Your Own
There are two kinds of time: chronos, which is human time, and kairos, which is God’s appointed time. We often try to fit God’s plans into our schedules, but true spiritual growth comes when we align our lives with God’s timing. Opportunities from God rarely come when it is convenient for us; they arrive when He knows we are ready, even if we feel unprepared. Like the Israelites at the edge of the Promised Land, we can miss our season if we wait for perfect conditions or try to force God’s hand. Instead, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, ready to move when God says move, and trust that His timing is always perfect. [15:33]
Numbers 13:20 (ESV)
And whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.
Reflection: Is there an area where you are waiting for the “perfect” time to act? What would it look like to trust God’s timing and take a step of faith today?
Day 3: Faith Overcomes Unfavorable Conditions
Every season of opportunity comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles. The Israelites saw giants in the land and felt too small to take possession of what God had promised, missing their opportunity because of a victim mentality. God does not give us ready-made situations; He gives us opportunities that require faith, courage, and a focus on His greatness rather than our limitations. When you face obstacles, remember that God uses these moments to grow your faith and reveal the potential He has placed within you. Do not let fear or feelings of inadequacy keep you from stepping into what God has prepared. [41:10]
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Reflection: What is one challenge you are facing that feels too big for you? How can you shift your focus from your limitations to God’s power and take a step forward in faith?
Day 4: Seize the Moment—Your Season Won’t Last Forever
Seasons of opportunity are temporary; they do not last forever. Just as athletes have a limited window to compete at their best, we too have a limited time to act on the opportunities God gives us. Procrastination, indecision, or waiting for a more convenient time can cause us to miss out on blessings, growth, and fulfillment. When God opens a door, it will not remain open indefinitely. Make the most of the time you have been given, for every season eventually ends, and the chance to act may not come again. [48:31]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Reflection: Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been putting off? What practical step can you take today to make the most of your current season?
Day 5: Follow the Example of Jesus—Embrace Your Kairos Moment
Jesus recognized and embraced His season of opportunity, even though it was not convenient and came with great suffering. He discerned the signs of the times and acted in obedience to the Father, seizing the moment to bring salvation to the world. Because of His sacrifice, we are invited to live lives marked by joy, peace, and purpose. Like Jesus, we are called to recognize our kairos moments and respond with faith, courage, and readiness, trusting that God will equip us for whatever He calls us to do. [53:20]
John 13:1 (ESV)
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God calling you to step out in faith, even if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient? How can you follow Jesus’ example and say “yes” to God’s kairos moment for you?
Quotes
Through Jesus' sacrifice, we can seize our season of opportunity and live a life of endless joy, measureless peace, unbridled happiness, everlasting love, ceaseless patience, unending kindness, matchless goodness, boundless faithfulness, incalculable gentleness, unparable self-control, and eternity with him. Because of Jesus, our burdens are lifted. Our sickness is healed. Our loneliness is vanquished. Our persecution is avenged. Our tears are dried up. Our sorrow becomes joy. Our pain converts to pleasure. Our sins are forgiven. Because of Jesus, let us...Let us live like we know what time it is, the season of our opportunity. [00:53:20] (57 seconds)
In his life, Jesus taught us about divine time, chronos, God's time. A time not based on the clock or the calendar, but time based on the love, goodness, and mercy of God. Jesus recognized the season of his opportunity to save us. His season did not come at his convenience. His season had some unfavorable conditions. But thanks be to God, his season did not come to stay forever. But early Sunday morning, the Bible says, he rose from the dead. [00:52:39] (42 seconds)
You will not always have the opportunity to do the things that are available to you right now. Opportunity does not come to stay. It is a time sensitive. It is too late to catch a flight after the plane leaves the terminal. To make your flight and arrive at your destination, you have better make some preparations. Purchase your ticket, check your bags, get your seat assignment, and get on board. Take advantage of your opportunity while it is in season because inevitably the season will change. [00:51:20] (40 seconds)
A final lesson to learn about the season of opportunity is it does not come to stay. After all, it is only a what? A season. Seasons change. Winters come by the grace of God, but only last a while. Spring comes in its glory, but it too passes away. Summer comes, but much to our chagrin, only lasts a little while. Soon it's going to give way to a new season we call fall. Your season comes, but it does not come to stay. [00:45:03] (39 seconds)
Littleness, however, is a state of mind. Significant challenges scare little people. They have the opportunity but not the mentality. Littleness is a soul sickness that only faith can cure. If you have the size of a mustard seed, you can move a mountain, you can meet any challenge, you can solve any problem, you can defeat any giant, you can conquer any foe. Faith in God and a determined spirit can help you to conquer big opportunities. [00:42:50] (36 seconds)
If you want to be ready when God presents the opportunity, set your watch by God's clock. God has a time for everything. His time is now. The season of opportunity is now. Now. Now. What did I say? Now. There's no better time than now. No better time to be alive. Now. No better time to be somebody, to do something positive, to go somewhere you have never been. The time is now, right now. [00:38:05] (38 seconds)
Much like Martin Luther King Jr., we often expect our season of opportunity to arrive on our terms when we are ready, when we are prepared, and we are comfortable. But God's timing is rarely aligned with our convenience. He calls us into opportunities precisely when we are relying fully on him rather than our own strength. [00:36:14] (26 seconds)
A child of God has only opportunities, not problems. Come on now. What you characterize as a problem is really God trying to grow you by sending an opportunity in disguise. [00:26:17] (17 seconds)
God has planted seeds of greatness in the souls of his created beings. He uses challenges, challenging opportunities to reveal those seeds of greatness. God wants to bring something out of you that you may not know is in you. He wants to bring critical thinking out of you. He wants you to try a new skill. God wants to increase your faith and put flesh and bones on your testimony. [00:26:34] (31 seconds)
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