Texas Western College made a job offer to high school basketball coach Don Haskins. They wanted Coach Haskins to take over the men’s basketball program. Their offer was unfortunately a cut in pay AND Coach Haskins’ family was expected to live in a men’s dorm room (a family that included 2 young boys). Basically, no housing was available for the coach. Any normal human being would have laughed at this offer. Certainly any college coach, who knows how the negotiation “game” is played, would have scoffed at these conditions. However, Coach Haskins’ answer to Texas Western was quite unexpected. After hearing this ridiculous offer, Don Haskins’ answer was “yes”. He was actually excited to take over the program. The Coach went on to say “whatever it takes to coach division 1 NCAA basketball”. While most men would have moved on to apply for another coaching position, Coach Haskins saw an amazing opportunity. He saw something that no one else could see. The rest is history.
In the early 1960’s, Coach Haskins changed American history & sports history by recruiting an entire class of African American athletes. In 1966, many of these same athletes helped Texas Western obtain a national championship. Until this defining moment, the rest of the world hardly knew that Texas Western existed. Soon other major universities crossed racial dividing lines to recruit African American players as well. Back when it all began, no one could see what Don Haskins saw. No one could understand what was underneath this job at Texas Western. The important thing is that Mr. Haskins saw something. That was enough.
As artists, most of us have a dream of using our gifts to make a living. Many of us would love to do what we do best while providing for our families. Most of us also dream of using our gifts for God. In fact, if we could do something great for God while experiencing financial stability, life would be wonderful. Most of us just want to be significant in this life, BUT we also want to know that money is accessible. Who wants to be struggling for cash over the years? Scripture tells us that the way to obtain all of the above is by facing & accepting our GOLIATH OPPORTUNITIES.
Before we move on, let me define a Goliath opportunity so we understand what that kind of opportunity looks like. A Goliath opportunity is an unusual opportunity that is presented to us BY GOD, but must take faith in order for us to see a rewarding “pay off”.
Here are some key elements that come with a Goliath Opportunity: A Goliath Opportunity will look unattractive to most people, BUT there is something about it that appeals to YOU. A Goliath Opportunity presents insurmountable odds against success, BUT that success does not seem too far fetched to YOU. A Goliath Opportunity turns off most people who are searching for worldly “gain”, BUT its reward is quite evident to YOU. A Goliath Opportunity takes God to see its full potential, BUT GOD helps YOU to see it quite clearly. A Goliath Opportunity is always so much bigger than just you. It cannot fit within the confines of “a great job” or a “career booster”. It has a higher purpose AND there is a cause. Lastly, the hard work involved in a Goliath Opportunity is intimidating to most people, but seems worth while to YOU.
The Goliath Opportunity is a faith opportunity that we can either act upon OR pass by (with hopes of a safer opportunity in the future). Obviously the above description is exactly how David viewed his opportunity with Goliath the giant (1 Samuel 17). David saw fighting Goliath as a worthy cause AND was even more motivated when he heard that there would be tax exemption and a beautiful princess if he won. Remember that he was already told by the nation’s prophet that he would be king one day. He already had a “big verbal endorsement” going for him. David did not have to prove himself, promote himself, or push himself onto anyone else. People in high places said he was “The Man” already. But David saw a “faith opportunity” that appealed to him. He also saw an issue that had to be resolved. No one else saw the purpose, the potential, or the prestige that lied behind this daunting task. One man was willing to “step up to the plate” and the rest is history. WHAT GOD ORDAINED OPPORTUNITIES HAVE CROSSED YOUR PATH LATELY?
It is important to remember that a Goliath Opportunity is NOT YOUR CALL FROM GOD. It is a door God presents to you, AND this door will lead to your call. David was not called to just fight enemy giants, he was called to protect, shepherd and lead Israel. He was also called to lead Israel into praising & worshipping God. Goliath was a means to an end, not the end. Goliath got David into the palace, but that giant was not the palace.
As you pursue avenues to use your gifts or establish a cause, there will be faith opportunities that come your way. These opportunities will not be appealing to most people, BUT deep in your heart – you know that something “is there” for you. Take it! That’s God calling you to believe in Him and test your wings. If you know in your heart that such an opportunity is staring you in the face, go for it. It will change your life and get you “into the palace”.
I want to encourage you to be sensitive to what is presented to you. God always provides an exciting door for you to walk through. This door may not be glamorous BUT it is the right door and will lead to great things. You may be unimpressed with this door that is presented to you, BUT you’ll be happy you took it.
YOUR GOLIATH OPPORTUNITIES
Posted in March Blog Comments on February 24, 2009 by rcmworldTexas Western College made a job offer to high school basketball coach Don Haskins. They wanted Coach Haskins to take over the men’s basketball program. Their offer was unfortunately a cut in pay AND Coach Haskins’ family was expected to live in a men’s dorm room (a family that included 2 young boys). Basically, no housing was available for the coach. Any normal human being would have laughed at this offer. Certainly any college coach, who knows how the negotiation “game” is played, would have scoffed at these conditions. However, Coach Haskins’ answer to Texas Western was quite unexpected. After hearing this ridiculous offer, Don Haskins’ answer was “yes”. He was actually excited to take over the program. The Coach went on to say “whatever it takes to coach division 1 NCAA basketball”. While most men would have moved on to apply for another coaching position, Coach Haskins saw an amazing opportunity. He saw something that no one else could see. The rest is history.
In the early 1960’s, Coach Haskins changed American history & sports history by recruiting an entire class of African American athletes. In 1966, many of these same athletes helped Texas Western obtain a national championship. Until this defining moment, the rest of the world hardly knew that Texas Western existed. Soon other major universities crossed racial dividing lines to recruit African American players as well. Back when it all began, no one could see what Don Haskins saw. No one could understand what was underneath this job at Texas Western. The important thing is that Mr. Haskins saw something. That was enough.
As artists, most of us have a dream of using our gifts to make a living. Many of us would love to do what we do best while providing for our families. Most of us also dream of using our gifts for God. In fact, if we could do something great for God while experiencing financial stability, life would be wonderful. Most of us just want to be significant in this life, BUT we also want to know that money is accessible. Who wants to be struggling for cash over the years? Scripture tells us that the way to obtain all of the above is by facing & accepting our GOLIATH OPPORTUNITIES.
Before we move on, let me define a Goliath opportunity so we understand what that kind of opportunity looks like. A Goliath opportunity is an unusual opportunity that is presented to us BY GOD, but must take faith in order for us to see a rewarding “pay off”.
Here are some key elements that come with a Goliath Opportunity: A Goliath Opportunity will look unattractive to most people, BUT there is something about it that appeals to YOU. A Goliath Opportunity presents insurmountable odds against success, BUT that success does not seem too far fetched to YOU. A Goliath Opportunity turns off most people who are searching for worldly “gain”, BUT its reward is quite evident to YOU. A Goliath Opportunity takes God to see its full potential, BUT GOD helps YOU to see it quite clearly. A Goliath Opportunity is always so much bigger than just you. It cannot fit within the confines of “a great job” or a “career booster”. It has a higher purpose AND there is a cause. Lastly, the hard work involved in a Goliath Opportunity is intimidating to most people, but seems worth while to YOU.
The Goliath Opportunity is a faith opportunity that we can either act upon OR pass by (with hopes of a safer opportunity in the future). Obviously the above description is exactly how David viewed his opportunity with Goliath the giant (1 Samuel 17). David saw fighting Goliath as a worthy cause AND was even more motivated when he heard that there would be tax exemption and a beautiful princess if he won. Remember that he was already told by the nation’s prophet that he would be king one day. He already had a “big verbal endorsement” going for him. David did not have to prove himself, promote himself, or push himself onto anyone else. People in high places said he was “The Man” already. But David saw a “faith opportunity” that appealed to him. He also saw an issue that had to be resolved. No one else saw the purpose, the potential, or the prestige that lied behind this daunting task. One man was willing to “step up to the plate” and the rest is history. WHAT GOD ORDAINED OPPORTUNITIES HAVE CROSSED YOUR PATH LATELY?
It is important to remember that a Goliath Opportunity is NOT YOUR CALL FROM GOD. It is a door God presents to you, AND this door will lead to your call. David was not called to just fight enemy giants, he was called to protect, shepherd and lead Israel. He was also called to lead Israel into praising & worshipping God. Goliath was a means to an end, not the end. Goliath got David into the palace, but that giant was not the palace.
As you pursue avenues to use your gifts or establish a cause, there will be faith opportunities that come your way. These opportunities will not be appealing to most people, BUT deep in your heart – you know that something “is there” for you. Take it! That’s God calling you to believe in Him and test your wings. If you know in your heart that such an opportunity is staring you in the face, go for it. It will change your life and get you “into the palace”.
I want to encourage you to be sensitive to what is presented to you. God always provides an exciting door for you to walk through. This door may not be glamorous BUT it is the right door and will lead to great things. You may be unimpressed with this door that is presented to you, BUT you’ll be happy you took it.
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