Seeing the Opportunities
Lopez Lomong grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya, having escaped from his imprisonment in Sudan as a young boy. We're using his book Running For My Life as an inspiration for our devotions this week, and today I want to share with you this young boy's positive attitude while playing soccer in the refugee camp.
From Star Striker to Goalkeeper: Lopez Lomong's Lesson in Attitude
Just about all the boys in the camp played soccer, and Lomong loved it. In fact, he was very good, and he was so fast on the field that eventually the other boys got frustrated by his brilliance and relegated him to the role of goalkeeper so that he couldn't outscore them anymore.
Lomong writes: "At first I hated being the goalkeeper. You cannot score from the back side of the field, and I love scoring goals. But what could I do? Instead of sulking, I told myself: Okay, you are now the goalkeeper. Make yourself the best goalkeeper in all of Kenya. And I did."
It's a simple principle, but a profound one. Instead of lamenting and focusing on what you've lost, make the best of the opportunity you have now.
Joseph and Lomong: Making the Best of Where You Are
In fact, Lomong reminds me of Joseph in this regard. In Genesis, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. He becomes the best slave in the master's house, rising above the others with his integrity and excellence. Then he is falsely accused and sent to prison, where he becomes the standout prisoner, until he is released and gets a job looking after all of Egypt.
Joseph was always being the best he could be in the place he was in - even if it wasn't his preferred place. Lomong did the same.
Yet how often we start to slack off when we are in positions or places that we don't like! How often we sulk because we're goalkeepers and we want to be strikers!
Friends, this is not the godly way. The godly way is to be content whatever the circumstances, as Paul says in Philippians 4.
So, consider the situation you are in right now - be it family, work, or some other responsibility. Are you seeing it as an opportunity to be the best you can be in that place? Or are you moping about in the goals, wishing you were somewhere else?
Surely Joseph and Lomong teach us to get our attitude right. God is waiting to use you where you are, if you will give Him your best.
Share in the comments where God is calling you to change your attitude today.
Lopez Lomong turned a demotion into a chance to become the best in his position, rather than sulking about what he'd lost - look at your own circumstances today and ask where you might be moping rather than making the most of the opportunity in front of you.