It is believed that throughout an adult’s life that are very few times when the right opportunity presents itself at the same time you have the right ability. Some believe it may happen less than five times in an adult’s lifetime. Obviously, many people miss these forks in life’s road due to the fear of failure. Fear can mask itself in anxiety, self-esteem, complacency, apathy and other self-imposed emotions that hold us back and stall our efforts for a better life.

I have often used a term called “flipping the switch,” to explain when a person sees the opportunity and believes in themselves that they have the ability and then steps forward and becomes that person. One of the greatest examples of this is Billy Graham who passed away three weeks ago. He was 27 years old when he did his first crusade and realized that ability and opportunity had intersected with God’s calling. He stepped forward at 27 years old and started a life that impacted millions of people.

Colonel Sanders (KFC) was 62 when he began selling his receipt for fried chicken to restaurants out of the trunk of his car. Truett Cathy (Chick-fil-A) was 48 years old when he ventured out and opened his first restaurant in a shopping mall. This list could go on for pages, but you get the idea.

In each example above the person realized that their ability had intersected with opportunity and in each example, they stepped forward and flipped the switch in their life. I dare say not one person has ever recognized opportunity every time it knocks at the door. In my humble opinion, all we need is one time to change our life and the lives of those around us. One time to answer the door and step into the place God is showing you. KT