Sep
20
Opportunities Happen
Filed Under Devotional
Sometimes, I can spend so much time and effort trying to break into a fortress that I hardly recognize it when the door has simply opened. I had that experience recently when someone for whom I’ve been praying for some time, emailed me to ask for a little advice. My first thought was, “Geez, how do I give advice without scaring him off because what he really needs is Jesus?”
I’m embarrassed to say that it literally took me about ten minutes before the lightbulb came on. It finally dawned on me that God had opened the door. I had been asking God to intervene in this person’s life and when I’m presented with an opening, I don’t even see it. Now, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility to make sure I respond correctly. But, at least I see that it’s an open door and not a distraction from my campaign to break in.
The point is that God will present you with opportunities. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Be prepared to be surprised about when they happen and for whom they happen. Do not kid yourself into thinking you need an airtight plan. You couldn’t make one and it wouldn’t work anyway. These are the opportunities to be a conduit for God. Just follow His lead.
I like the story of Philip:
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to the chariot and stay near it.’
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked.” Acts 8:26-30
At each step, Philip didn’t know what he was doing, but he was willing. He went for a walk with no idea where he was heading. He got close to the chariot without knowing what was going to happen. Then, he took advantage of an opportunity presented by God to share the Good News.
Be ready. Be willing. Be bold.