But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh
and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
– Exodus 3:11 (ESV)

Sports and life are filled with opportunity. The most amazing thing about opportunity is that you often don’t see it coming. A perfect example of this happened a few years ago when I was coaching a middle school football team. The game was well in hand by halftime and we began making liberal substitutions midway through the third quarter. I put a sixth grader, who had not seen much playing time, in the game as a defensive back. Though small in stature, he did have pretty good speed. My expectations weren’t very high, but at least he would get an opportunity to be on the field. Of course the very first play came his way and I held my breath. A teammate got to the ball carrier first and the ball popped out. Opportunity had presented itself. The sixth grader scooped up the fumble and raced fifty-five yards for a most unexpected touchdown! It was an amazing experience not only for him, but for the entire team.

Moses was an unlikely candidate when God presented him with an opportunity. Moses had made quite a name for himself serving in Pharaoh’s palace. All that was lost however, when he killed an Egyptian and fled for his life. We find Moses later toiling as a shepherd. There’s nothing glamorous about feeding, watering, and shearing sheep. However, in moving the flock from one pasture to another, Moses learned patience. The pace must always allow for the slowest animal to keep up with the rest of the herd. Moses was only a shepherd when he saw the burning bush, but opportunity presented itself. God was calling Moses to face Pharaoh and demand the release of the Hebrew slaves. The skills Moses learned in his forty years of taking care of sheep may not have prepared him to free the children of Israel, but they certainly prepared him for leading them into the wilderness for the next forty years. If God calls or presents us with an opportunity, rest assured that He has prepared us for that specific task.

Heavenly Father, You will never call me to a task You have not prepared me for. Help me to see and to accept the opportunities You give me today. Amen.