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“We often tend to judge opportunities by the potential return.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2015-10-06) from his book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (p. 247). Center Street. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Now that is not necessarily a bad thing. 

John says, “There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I encourage you to be strategic in your thinking. However, there are also times when we are faced with opportunities to do things that we know are right, even if we don’t know where they will lead or what will result.”

We just know it is the right thing to do.  You just know it is.

John goes on, “I want to encourage you to follow through and seize these kinds of opportunities, because the return on giving is always higher than what we give. I’m still surprised by the impact a simple act can have on someone, but I am never surprised by the outcome of intentional living. Whenever I write a book or record a CD, I believe it will help someone. I don’t always know who, when, or where, but I know without a doubt that it will have a significant impact, and that’s what keeps me motivated to keep seizing these kinds of opportunities.”

There was a minister who was asked to go to a small church in the Carolinas to hold a series of meetings.  In an assessment of those meeting he said that only two people accepted Christ into their lives.  He had walked through the door no matter the potential return.  But the fact was one of those two was Billy Graham, a man who God used to make a difference in the world.  It looked small but it was unbelievable successful. 

John later says, “If you maintain a sense of urgency and obey your instinct to do the right thing, especially when it plays to your strengths, it may have a greater impact than you would ever dream. I embrace the words of the apostle Paul, who advised, ‘So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all.’ (Galatians 6: 9– 10, MSG.)  Even if you aren’t a person of faith, you can embrace these words because you probably instinctively know that you reap what you sow.”

Go ahead and open that door.  Do it now before it closes. 


So how is your urgency to obey your instinct to do the right thing?

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