AdvanceBlog

The Roman philosopher, Seneca says:

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

I do not believe in luck.  I believe in blessings.  I believe in the unfolding of God’s plans.  Yet, for God’s plans to unfold – there is a prerequisite called FAITH.

Years ago, I was a pretty good football player.  My dad jumped started my work ethic when I was a small guy by pushing me to do half of the workout that my older brother, Damon, did.  Damon played sports for DePorres.  During his junior year, Damon did not lose a game in football or basketball.  You see not only was Damon a well-prepared athlete, he was exercising his faith in God’s plans by preparing to make contributions to winning teams.  Damon didn’t fold his arms and assume because they were DePorres that they would win.  No, instead he invested himself in every practice, did extra work at home and in alignment with his teammates focused upon the championship opportunities ahead.  There was the exercising of faith as preparation.  There was God’s plan. There was opportunity and eventually the blessings – championships.

I didn’t go to DePorres.  I mirrored Damon’s work ethic and extended a whole heap of self-will, but I never won a championship.  In fact, my best opportunity for a championship was squandered by my own temper: “Coach, I got suspended for fighting … I’m gonna have to miss the game.”   The game turned out to be a nail-biter.  All of my teammates did their part, but we lost 9-7.  What stands out is that I played outside linebacker; no one could run around my end.  Except … when I wasn’t there.  The difference in that game was that team ran around my end for more yards than all of our other opponents combined.  Later that season, as our playoff hopes began to vanish, I prayed that God give my teammates a chance and to not let them down because of my choice to fight in school.  While we were  one of our school’s best football teams ever, we didn’t win a championship because when the opportunity was there, I was not prepared.

There is an African proverb that says: joy for the raindrop is entering the river.  For years I have prepared.  I have been underpaid.  I have been aligned on some bad teams.  I have learned from some upstarts, future greats and accomplished leaders. I have toiled as an understudy and background player.  Forever focused upon God’s plan unfolding for me, forever preparing for the opportunity to be presented, forever hoping that this team will be my very own DePorres.  Like an aircraft prepped and circling the runway, I have waited for the all-clear signal for take off.  I have waited for another opportunity.  I have long sought the joy of entering the river.

As we fold the calendar days back and prepare for 2010, I stand at the cusp.  I stand at the end of what football players call off-season preparation.  I have exercised, toiled, hoped, studied, researched, commuted, cried, prayed until finally … I’m here.  One more step and the genesis of my dreams, an opportunity, and moreover God’s plan unfolds.  Wow, this is it.

Michael Jackson – This Is It – Directed by Spike Lee from 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks on Vimeo.

Happy New Year!!! (and thanks Rashad for the MJ link!)