Opportunity knocks

Most of us have heard the idiom, “Opportunity knocks but once.”  The intended idea is that it is wise to for us to be alert and ready to take advantage of unique circumstances because they may never come again.  The Boy Scouts say it this way (but with a slightly different emphasis), “Be prepared.”

This is usually good advice.  To be sure, there are as many “I wish I hadn’t done that” stories as there are “Wow, that was fantastic” stories when people decide to answer Opportunity’s knocking.  What we normally hear, though, are the success stories.  The “other” experiences are often best left to quietly slip into the past.

What is the source of this advice?  It seems to be quite ancient.  In their book, Wise Words and Wives' Tales: The Origins, Meanings and Time-Honored Wisdom of Proverbs and Folk Sayings Olde and New (Avon Books, New York, 1993; p. 144), Stuart Flexner and Doris Flexner suggest the following:

In 'Epigrams (around 370), the Roman scholar Ausonius recounted an amusing description of the goddess Opportunity, who was said to be hairy in front and bald behind: 'I am a goddess seldom found and known to few.  I am ever flying. I am bald behind that none may catch me (by the hair) as I flee. Remorse bears me company. When I have flown away, she is retained by those who did not grasp me as I passed.' The idea of missed opportunity is much older still, of course, and the saying, 'Opportunity is seldom presented, easily lost,' appeared in 'Sententiae' (about 43 B.C.) by the Latin writer Pubilius Syrus. 

Going back to approximately 1000 BC, Solomon said, “Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (Eccl. 11:9 ESV).  That sounds a lot like “When opportunity knocks, answer the door.”  It could also be conceived as a carte blanche license to throw caution to the wind and let whatever will be to be.  Unless, of course, we read the larger context.

Here is Solomon’s complete statement:

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. (Ecc 11:9 ESV)

Setting aside the “young man” reference (Ecclesiastes’ original audience was the potential servants of the royal court - usually made up of young men), Solomon does encourage them - and us - to enjoy the blessings of God as He brings them into our lives.  Earlier in his instruction, Solomon has reminded us that the circumstances through which we live, be it pleasant or unpleasant, are foreknown only by the Creator . . . and He does this deliberately so we will learn to revere Him (Eccl. 3:11-14; 7:14).   

“When opportunity knocks,” says Solomon, “go ahead and open the door.  The God whom you fear and worship has orchestrated these events so we will learn of both His goodness and His providence.  This is how we learn to depend on Him.”

In Solomon’s world (and ours), “Opportunity” is not a goddess that flies around as a mystical being, an elusive fairy-like creature that we hope will be within our grasp to bring us good fortune.  We understand that in God’s created order, life has purpose and structure.  It is usually beyond our grasp to fully understand what God is doing.  Thus, it is essential we develop “living by faith” skills.  This is what Solomon means when he counsels, “God is in heaven, you are on earth;  let your words be few” (Eccl. 5:1-3).  We must take care not to presume to speak for God or to explain Him.  We don’t know His perspective.

 There is a knock on the door . . . it may be better to ignore the knocking.  Or, we may get to the door and the opportunity has already moved on.  Sometimes we may open the door and find the opportunity is not what we thought it was.  Sometimes we discover that opportunities do not always work out as we expect.  

In a culture that denies the engagement of a sovereign and providential God, we hear the messaging “Be a leader.  Be a winner.  Don’t let opportunity pass you by.”  When we live by faith we don’t perceive opportunity as a random event upon which must capitalize.  Instead, it may be a good option God is giving us . . . or it may be the door through which we will learn greater dependence on Him.  

Opportunity doesn’t just knock once.  The work of God within each of us is a constant, ongoing process (Phil. 1:6).  Regret neither the door unopened nor the door opened to unexpected and undesired outcomes.  Rather, let’s integrate into our lives this truth:  God is always at work accomplishing His purposes.