Seeds of Greatness
Column by Lady Catherine Beatty

Have you ever heard the phrase "seize the moment"? If you have, did you wonder what it means? I like the way it sounds. To say, seize the moment, makes you feel as if you have a sense of power. However, in order to take advantage of this powerful tool, we must understand how to "seize" and how to recognize the "moment." So with that in mind I went to Webster’s Dictionary and did a word search. (This process will help you have deeper insight into a word or phrase.) According to Webster’s Dictionary "seize" means "to take possession of something; take by force; capture; to take hold of." The word "moment" means "time of excellence; present time; importance in influence or effect; particle sufficient to turn the scales." Wow! I don’t know about you, but the word search really broadens the meaning of this phrase.

Let's look at this in respect to our lives. As I look back over my life I realize there have been many moments (sufficient to turn the scales of my life) that I did not seize (take possession of, capture). The question I had to ask myself was WHY? While I had many excuses, I believe there were only two reasons why I didn’t seize the moment.

The first reason was I didn’t have a vision, a goal, or a dream. The Word of God tells us in Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (KJV). I went about life with the attitude that whatever happens, happens. For the first thirty-five years of my life I didn’t realize I had a choice in directing my life. Until I began to read and study the Bible, I wasn’t aware that my Heavenly Father had a good plan for my life. I had to come to the understanding that Jesus paid an awesome price for me and He had good things for me, right now. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." So the first thing we must have is a vision, a goal, and a dream. You can’t seize something if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

The second reason I didn’t take advantage of this tool was I didn’t understand what my gifts or talents were. I really didn’t know for sure just what I wanted to do with my life. So I did what most women did at that time; I got married. Let me ask you this question. If you could do anything that you wanted to do, knowing you couldn’t fail, what would you do? Have you ever thought about your gifts, your natural God given talents? Have you made plans, set goals, or dreamed? I believe many women are so busy being caregivers, that they neglect their DISCOVERY TIME. I was so busy being a wife, mother, and just living life, that I didn’t take the time, or perhaps I didn’t know to take the time, for discovery. I know there were times when I daydreamed about this or that, but I never went past the daydreaming. God places in our heart dreams and desires. That’s the beginning of our future, but we must do more.

I enjoy reading about the woman in Proverbs 31. She knew who she was in God. She knew what her gifts and desires were. She seized every moment of opportunity in order to become an accomplish woman. She recognized that in order to know when to seize the moment, she had to first spend time with her God (Proverbs 31:15-18). "She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her and her household and assigns her maids their tasks. She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm. She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good" (AMP).

While not every woman is chosen to walk the path of the Proverbs woman, we all can follow her example by seeking first the Kingdom of God, then all these things shall be added unto us.

The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead resides on the inside of us (Romans 8:11).

If God has ordained it, then there is nothing we can't do. The power isn’t in the words "seize the moment," but in our faith that God will provide, direct, and protect us. He's the one that presents the moment. He's also the one that can help us to know when and how to seize it. There have been moments seized that weren't from God and they have caused us distress. That's why it’s important to be led by His Spirit. But if you never spend time in His presence, it will be difficult to recognize His voice.

So I would conclude that in order to recognize the moments and know how to seize them we must:

1. Spend time with the Father.
   
2. Spend time in the discovery of ourselves.
   
3. Make plans, goals and dream.
   
4. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
   
5. Memorize the definition of the words Seize and Moment.
   
6. Keep your eyes and ears open for the opportunities God presents.
   
7. Don’t ever give up on yourself or your dreams.

Until the next time, don’t forget your seeds of greatness. You can produce a great harvest when you learn to seize the moment. Make it a great day, ladies.

---