Doors of Opportunity - part 2
Last week we started a series of blog entries concerning the theme “Doors of Opportunity.” If you did not read through last week’s entry, I would encourage you to do that first before moving on with today’s comments.
Mothers of Nations, I pray that all of us would endeavor to make the most of every God-given opportunity that comes our way. Sometimes opportunities come that enhance our life and Scripture tells us why and how these doors of opportunity open to us.
Ephesians 5: 15-16 (AMP) 15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 16 making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
We see here that we are to:
- Walk carefully.
- Live purposely.
- Live worthily.
- Live accurately.
- Live wisely and sensibly.
- Live intelligently.
- Make the most of our time. (Make use of every opportunity.)
Note that Paul closes verse 16 with the phrase “days of evil.” What does this mean? I think Paul is warning that we can get distracted, lose our priorities and even neglect God’s Word, thus negating any enhancement to our life or the lives of others that the open doors offer.
It is important to also be aware that some opportunities that come our way may not be good for us. In other words, they are not God-given. The world we live in provides all types of opportunities. We must be wise and alert to discern God’s opportunities for us.
Let’s now look at Galatians 6: 10 (AMP). Here we will discover what the Word has to say about opportunities to do good. “So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).”
Opportunities to do good give us a chance to be God’s hands, feet, eyes and heart here on earth. As a Pastor, “doing good” has always been both enjoyable and rewarding. It has been fulfilling to “do good” both at home and abroad. In multiple nations over the years at the Lord's direction we have provided free medical clinics, gospel crusades, women’s conferences, refugee assistance, pastors’ and leadership training seminars, orphanage help, and much more.
All of us have the opportunity to “do good.” Let’s be aware of those “open doors” of opportunity and joyfully walk through them! We will find it rewarding and fulfilling most certainly.
On the other hand, opportunities can also be missed. Take Esau and the situation of his birthright. He missed his opportunity because of his appetite. He missed his opportunity because he chose the “now.” He missed his opportunity because he yielded to his flesh. Esau didn’t think about the consequences of his actions or how those actions could possibly affect his future. He didn’t appreciate his position in his family and what that meant in God’s grand scheme of things. In so doing, he missed his God-given opportunity.
Have you missed an opportunity like Esau? I am sure that all of us have missed great opportunities from time to time. So what are we to do about it? We need to ask forgiveness and then let it go and move on. We can’t get stuck in our past or in the sea of regret. That will only keep us from missing present and future opportunities!
In Philippians 3: 13-14 (AMP) Paul encourages us with these words. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Next week we will begin by looking at what Jesus Himself had to say about missed opportunities. Until then, stay blessed!
Dr. Sharon Predovich
