'Such As This' Moments

Purim is celebrated annually by Jews across the world because of the stand that Esther took. We read about this morning in our daily Bible reading (www.lifejournal.cc)  God had put her in a unique position to go to the king with any request.  To approach a king at anytime when you were not asked could easily had been a major messup.  Many lives were taken just for approaching the king, but Esther realized that she was the only hope they had.  Mordecai reminded her that God had placed her there 'for such a time as this.'  I have  had some 'for such a time as this' moments.  No, I have not saved a whole generation of people.  I speak on a much smaller scale.   There have been ministry opportunities that came along the way- some expected and some very unexpected- that in hindsight I could see the special nature of the time and place.  You can too if you think about it.  Times when God used you in  a special way to do a special task that God blessed in a special way.  The question that I wrestle with today is:  How do you make sure you don't miss those God opportunities?  You never really know much in advance when they are going to come.  How do you prepare?  I believe the only way to be prepared for the unexpected  is to be like a Boy Scout and: Be Prepared.  Prepare yourself daily to hear from God concerning the matters in which He lays before you by studying His Word.  A daily dose of His Word will teach you how He works,  give you applicable truth, and prepare your mind to hear and listen to God.  Prepare yourself daily through prayer.  Real prayer is not seeking your will in heaven but God's Will on earth, specifically in your life and the lives of those you pray for.  Lastly, prepare yourself by refocusing your mind upon Him throughout the day.  Like an autofocus camera is always striving to focus on what the photographer is aiming at, let our minds autofocus constantly in an effort to focus on what God would have for us. 
You never know when a 'such as this' moment is going to happen, but you don't have to.  If you are prepared, you will act accordingly.  I never know when a flat tire is coming, so I always carry a spare.  When it does, I will be ready. 
Prepare yourself today.  Walk ready today. You never know....but you won't need to.