Seize the opportunity but don't be seized by it!

Luke 9:57-62

As they were walking along someone said to Jesus, “I will always follow you no matter where you go.” But Jesus replied, “Remember, I don’t even own a place to lay my head. Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Messiah, have no earthly home at all.” Another time, when he invited a man to come with him and to be his disciple, the man agreed—but wanted to wait until his father’s death. Jesus replied, “Let those without eternal life concern themselves with things like that. Your duty is to come and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God to all the world.” Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Food for thought

Today's gospel reading reminds us of the importance of the MOMENT. We have heard the expression, Seize the moment! It means that when opportunity comes your way, don't hesitate, grab it. This is what happened in today's gospel reading.

Two men, one was seized by the moment, the other didn't seize the moment. The first man was undoubtedly seized by the moment; the man was impressed by Jesus and decided to follow Jesus whenever Jesus would go. What does it mean to be seized by the moment?

It means not being able to look beyond, not seeing any further, not seeing the future, not counting the cost. This is what Jesus is telling the first man: "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Messiah, have no earthly home at all." Jesus is saying to the man: Are you ready to rough it? Are you ready for the challenges ahead? Have you counted the cost?

Being a prisoner of the present moment means to stagnate with what is happening to you right now. It means not knowing that the present moment is just now, it is not forever. What you're undergoing today, will end, will pass away. Be it good or bad, be it suffering or joy or prosperity, it will come to an end. So, don't get stack with the present moment; don't be over excited with the NOW that you forget the AFTER NOW; don't be over saddened by your current agony because all problems end.

The second man was the opposite. He had the rare opportunity of following Jesus, and then he remembered his father. It is most likely that his father was not yet dead, nor that was near death. The man was saying in other words, I can only follow you after my father's death, after fulfilling my family obligations. Before that, I am not available. The man was saying, in other words, you're important but not that more important than my father. As long as he lives I cannot follow you. Wait until he dies. This man didn't seize the moment.

In life there're opportunities and things that come once in a lifetime. Or you seize them or you lose them. That's how Jesus is. Don't let old plans get in the way of new opportunities or luck. Open yourself to chance and don't let the past hold you. Leave the dead die; leave the past pass; embrace the opportunities of the present moment; look for them, and try to take them.

Once you seize the new opportunities, don't let them seize you. Don't let the opportunities you have seized seize you, and prevent you from further opportunities. Every opportunity should prepare you for new opportunities; don't get stack with your success.