An opportunity is a favorable time. A favorable condition to carry out or exhibit your skill(s).
Why does timing matter so much? Because when you exhibit your talent at the right time, the results are completely different from any other time.
Singing in your bathroom = family claps.
Singing at a church talent show when a record label manager is visiting = your life changes.
That’s opportunity. It’s a favorable chance. A right and ripe time for people to see and appreciate what God put inside you. When others appreciate your skills at that moment, the impact is 10x higher than at any other time.
So opportunity should be taken with seriousness. Not with “I’ll think about it” attitude.
One dictionary put it well: Opportunity is offered by circumstances.
What does that mean? It means once a particular opportunity passes, that exact one may never come back the same way. You might get other opportunities, yes. But that specific door, that specific meeting, that specific “audition” — once it’s gone, it’s gone.
That’s why every good opportunity that comes your way must be used appropriately. Don’t underrate “small opportunities”. Little doors lead to big palaces.
The Danger of Unpreparedness
You’ve trained yourself. You’ve developed your talent to a stage where you’re confident. You know you can deliver. Good.
The next thing you must watch for is opportunity.
And here’s the truth: Opportunity can come anytime, even when you least expect it.
Two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Opportunity meets preparation
The chance comes, you’re in the right position, and you use it well. Result? Something good happens. Doors open. People notice. Your destiny moves forward.
Scenario 2: Opportunity meets unpreparedness
The chance comes, but it catches you unawares. You’re in the wrong position. Wrong attitude. Wrong skills. Result? The opportunity slips out of your hands.
And like we said earlier, if a particular opportunity slips away, getting that exact one back is very difficult. Others will come, yes. But that unique one? Gone.
Spiritual warning: Opportunity can slip away from you while you sleep. Especially spiritually. If you’re careless in prayer, careless in character, careless in discipline, you’ll miss divine chances.
Opportunity is what transports you from where you are to where you dream of going with your skills. Don’t joke with it.
Real-Life Examples: Don’t Toy With “Small” Chances
If your dream is big, your attitude toward small chances must be bigger.
1. Footballer dream: You want to play in top European leagues like Premier League. Then don’t toy with invitation to join your school football team. That’s where scouts start looking. That’s where discipline starts. Skip training because “it’s just school team”? You just skipped your future.
2. Gospel singer dream: You want to be one of the most influential gospel singers in the world. Then don’t toy with church choir. Don’t miss choir practice because “I’m already talented”. Don’t tamper with your relationship with God because anointing + skill = influence. The choir is your training ground. Treat it like Madison Square Garden.
3. Actor/actress dream: You want to be a gospel Nollywood star. Then don’t joke with church drama group invitation. That’s where you learn stage presence, memorization, teamwork. Every big actor started in “small” plays.
4. Writer dream: You want books on shelves worldwide. Then watch out for writing competitions, essay contests, blog features. They may look small, but they’re the needed opportunity to make you known. Chimamanda didn’t start with a novel. She started with short stories in magazines.
Lesson: Big destiny is built from small obedience. Don’t despise small beginnings.
The Company Factor: Opportunity Comes Through People
Here’s something most people miss: Opportunities don’t just fall from heaven. They come through people.
So after training your talent, your next assignment is to position yourself around the right people.
1. Move closer to helpers
Associate with those who can render help in your pursuit of success. Those who believe in your dream. Those ready to offer support — advice, money, connection, encouragement — to make your dream real.
2. Move closer to appreciators
Be with people who appreciate you. Who appreciate your attributes and skills. Who don’t focus only on your weaknesses, but are eager to awaken every remaining bit of potential in you. Critics tear down. Believers build up. Choose builders.
3. Move closer to God-fearing believers
Most importantly, stay with serious believers who fear God with all their heart, soul, and being. Why? Because God is the ultimate Door-Opener. Revelation 3:7 says He opens doors no man can shut.
You need people who will pray for you, correct you, and connect you to Godly opportunities.
The Influence Factor: You Become Who You Move With
As human beings, we are liable to influences and intimidations. That’s why company is critical.
Proverbs 13:20 says: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Let that sink in. Your company can make you wise or destroy you.
So who should you be found with?
1. Positive, success-oriented people
Be with those who believe success is attainable, no matter how high. People who say “I can” instead of “It’s not possible for people like us”.
Avoid those who have taken settling for less as a habit. Avoid those who say “top positions aren’t for our race, tribe, family class, or background”. That’s a poverty mindset. Don’t catch it.
2. People with dreams bigger than yours
Move with people who are chasing top spots. Their ambition will rub off on you. If you’re the smartest person in your circle, you’re in the wrong circle. Stretch yourself.
3. God-fearing, wise people
Be in company of people who talk positively and behave positively. Because if they influence your mind, it will be in a positive manner. And success begins in the mind. Before any real success, you must first have a rough sketch of it in your mind. Positive mind = positive approaches = positive results.
Who to avoid:
1. Chronic complainers who see problems in every opportunity
2. People who mock your dreams
3. Friends who pressure you into sin, laziness, or compromise
4. “Settle-for-less” mentality people
You are advised to move with positive people so you can become a positive person.
5 Practical Ways to Position Yourself for Opportunity
Knowing about opportunity is not enough. You must position yourself. Here’s how:
1. Be Ready Before the Chance Comes
Opportunity favors the prepared. Train your skill daily. If a writer, write daily. If a singer, practice daily. When the chance comes, you won’t be learning on the job. You’ll be performing.
2. Say “Yes” to Small Platforms
Church choir. School debate. Community cleanup team. Facebook group admin. These “small” platforms are auditions for bigger ones. Handle small with excellence and big will trust you.
3. Build Relationships, Not Just Skills
Skills open doors, but relationships keep doors open. Be kind, be reliable, be humble. People recommend people they like and trust. Don’t burn bridges.
4. Stay Alert + Disciplined
Opportunities come at odd times. 6am email. Sunday service announcement. Random DM. If you’re always sleeping, always on Netflix, always distracted, you’ll miss it. Stay spiritually alert. Pray for discernment.
5. Take Action Fast
When opportunity knocks, don’t overthink for 3 weeks. Respond quickly. Send the application. Show up for the meeting. Submit the sample. Hesitation kills chances. Boldness opens them.
What Happens When You Miss an Opportunity
Let’s be honest. We all miss some. What then?
1. Don’t live in regret - Regret paralyzes you for the next chance. Learn, forgive yourself, move on.
2. Ask God for restoration - Joel 2:25 says God can restore the years. Pray: “Lord, don’t let me miss my next divine chance.”
3. Stay prepared - The next opportunity is closer than you think. Don’t be caught sleeping twice.
Think of opportunity like a bus. Your talent is your ticket. Preparation is your seat. Company is your fellow passengers. The bus won’t wait forever. When it arrives, you must be at the bus stop, ticket in hand, ready to board.
Opportunity is what should transport you to where you dream of going with your skills. Don’t sleep on it. Don’t toy with small chances. Don’t keep wrong company. Discover your talent. Develop it. Then watch and wait for opportunity — while staying ready.
And when it comes, meet it with faith, excellence, and gratitude. Use it well. Because that one chance could change everything.
