A Word through Kathryn Walters Kathie's email: kathiewalters@mindspring.com August 31, 2001

This same word seems to resurface every year around Aug/Sept

I was praying in the morning and I was suddenly standing near the ocean, by an inlet.

I saw little row boats in the inlet at the shore. Across the top of the inlet, where the ocean went, there suddenly appeared a large ship with white sails. It was sailing across the top of the inlet.

The ship was called "OPPORTUNITY."

I saw the little boats--- they had an opportunity to row out and meet that big ship which was going across the ocean. They had an opportunity to catch up with it and go with it. Some did and as soon as they saw it they went after it. Others of the little boats thought they would wait until later - that maybe it would come back.

Others just got fearful. They liked the idea of going, and they liked to talk about it, but when the opportunity came they backed off - their faith wasn’t active.

SADLY WATCHING THE SHIP JUST GO BY

As I watched the ship go by -I felt sad as I knew that there was a deception there, or wishful thinking. I knew that when God sends those opportunities, it is often a long time before they come back - and sometimes they never do.

I knew some people who had been asking God, and praying for opportunities to launch out - I knew that if they missed this one, they would still be where they were this time next year, and the year after that.

It takes some courage to move out. We all have a capacity for adventure-- and God answers our dreams and hopes and prayers and opens doors-- but it is another thing to really go for it.

THE DIFFERENCE WITH THOSE WHO JUST "WISH" THEY COULD

I guess that is the difference between people who make a big difference and those who just "wish" they could. Don’t be a storybook adventurer - a wishful adventurer. Be a real one and take the opportunity God gives. Go through the door He opens, step out on the water - get into the boat. Catch the tide of God's opportunity.

One time I was in a local church on a Sunday Morning. My daughter, Lisa, was there and quite a few other young people. The Lord gave me a word that morning - it was this -

"I am about to open a door because you have asked Me to open doors, but you must be at the door when it opens. It will open and close quickly. If you are not waiting at the door you will not see it, or you will not get to it in time."

GOING THROUGH THE SUDDENLY OPENED DOOR

Lisa had told me the previous week that she wanted to work in the government on Capital Hill. She was only 16 so I was dubious about her going or having that chance. There was another young girl named Leah who was wanting to go to England, but she did not have enough money. The fares at that time were $800-900 and she had only $500.00.

When I had the word I also had a vision of a door. Some people were leaning against the door, others were a little ways away - but they glanced at the door from time to time. Others were involved with other things and when the door opened they didn’t even notice. Those leaning against the door fell through it, and the those a little ways away made a dash for it and got through.

During that week some things happened. One - Leah was taking a shower on the Tuesday and she suddenly heard God’s voice speak to her.

"Call British Airways right away." She jumped out and dried off and called British Airways - guess what? They had a 24 hour ticket sale to London for $500!!! OFF SHE WENT - MY Lisa had a call from someone on Capitol Hill. "Lisa, would you like to come and work for congressman Tom Delay for a while? " Yes" she said. "Come on then, but you must come in two days". She was ready! Those two young people took that opportunity - it wasn’t too convenient, but when Jesus said "follow me" he didn’t give disciples a few weeks to think about it. They dropped their nets and followed Him.

A COMING SEASON OF OPEN DOORS

I believe that there is coming again a season of open doors - don’t let them pass by - don’t let them open and close again while you are still dithering about what to do. If God has put something in your heart, go for it. I love Jackie Pullinger’s testimony - she got on a big ship and got off when God told her to. That took some courage -she was only a young girl and the minister she got counsel from encouraged her. A whole lot of people would be very challenged by that!

But pray and watch and wait and then as the door opens - go trust Him. Don’t wait for everything to line up like you think it should - you could wait forever that way!

Blessings, Kathie Walters

Kathie Walters Books/tapes/articles www.goodnews.netministries.org/kathie.htm