The Power of Opportunity

The Holy Spirit is heaven's PR agent on earth. He communicates what Christ has done both in us and for every believer. He will 'implant' what God sees and will help the believer unpack what He sees until we see it. God will give us a view of hope and eternity in Christ. He will also give us opportunities to walk in that same destiny. Opportunities will be presented before us that will be the earthly means of fulfilling Godly destiny.


Opportunities are not just about us but are primarily for the benefit of others. For example, Queen Esther was presented with an opportunity to save her people from destruction. Mordecai said to her "...who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14) Interestingly, opportunities are seldom opportune. Often they come in times of trouble or at times not of our choosing or convenience and yet there is always an element of surprise because of what God sees. Our challenge is to learn to see what He sees.


Opportunities are like the rungs of a ladder. They will help us walk into the dream or the vision that God has for us. In fact everything, the good , the bad and the downright ugly, can be rungs on the ladder that will help grow us into the dream and purpose that God has for our lives. Joseph received dreams as a 17year old. He then grew or matured to 'fit' the dream as he journeyed for the next 22 years from a pit, to a prison and finally to a palace. Winston Churchill became PM of Great Britain at the age of 65 on 10th May 1940. He said "I felt as if I were walking with destiny and that all my past life had been but preparation for this one hour and for this trial." (p240 Churchill: The Power of Words, Martin Gilbert, 2012)


We can always prepare ourselves to seize opportunities when they come. You may think that opportunities have passed you over. You may think that it's too late. God however, has a habit of redeeming our broken pasts including missed opportunities. Moses was 80 years of age when the Lord commissioned him to return to Egypt and to rescue Israel. Elijah was really down on himself after he was both depressed and intimidated by death threats from Queen Jezebel. He thought he alone was the only one who had not yielded to Baal but God showed him that 7000 others hadn't succumbed to idolatry either. The point being that God was giving Elijah opportunity to commission and tutor Elisha, his successor.


A surfer will prepare himself for the next set of waves. He doesn't give up because he missed a wave. There will be more waves coming. Likewise you may have missed opportunities but God will present you with new opportunities. Stay humble and teachable. Get ready to catch the next wave. You are closer to fulfilling His will than you think!










This blog is based on a message by Ross Smith, The Vine church, Logan City, Queensland, Australia on 11/01/15 called "The Power of Opportunity". The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching.