Opportunities

There is a movie called "Evan Almighty," which I have not actually seen, but I did see a clip from it which impressed me. The clip has Morgan Freeman as God saying the following:

"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

I think the answer to these questions is pretty obvious to a believer. Why? Because we've read it all through the Bible, and experienced it in our own lives. Our Father frequently employs just this method in our lives. It's the old "teach me to fish," not just "give me a fish" thing. He knows that this is how He can build us up, so that we can be useful in the building of His kingdom. So, perhaps you should pray for opportunities. You might very well see them. On the other hand, maybe what you might pray for is discernment, in oirder to recognize the opportunities He has already placed before you...?