Recognizing Your Door of Opportunity…

We have all had a door of opportunity presented to us, which, against our better judgment, we failed to walk through. Days, weeks, months, or even years later we found ourselves regretting that we did not commit to walking through that door. We found ourselves asking: “How could I have missed that?” “Was I blind?” “What was I thinking?” Whatever the circumstance or rationale for MISSING the opportunity, we find ourselves working through the guilt and regret and pledge never to miss another opportunity like that again. Yet somehow, we manage to do it over and over again. One thing that we learn through these experiences is that doors of opportunity in life don’t always appear in the way that we believe or hope they will. Many times these doors seem unappealing, boring, frightening or even repulsive. Other times these doors may seem far beyond our grasp of vision or self-restricted ability to handle. It really doesn’t matter what our perception was—the bottom-line is that we messed up and should have taken a step through that door. Did you know that sometimes walking into opposition and adversity can be a sign that we are on the right path? Paul understood walking through a door of opportunity in the midst of adversity when he said: “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16.8-9). Paul did not walk away when adversity arose—instead he understood that adversaries were to be expected when an “effective door” was opened. He did not walk away from the opportunity simply because there was resistance. Instead, he embraced adversity as a positive sign of triumph waiting on the other side of the door. Jesus, when He began His ministry, also experienced great opposition when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness. Yet Jesus had just experienced the approval of His Father at His baptism by John: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3.16). So why should He—the Son of God—need to walk through adversity before he continued on His journey to fulfillment? In our daily lives doors of opportunity are often unrecognizable. So we must ask ourselves these four simple questions to help us discern if a door of opportunity is from the Lord: Does the opportunity contradict the Word of God? The Word of God is infallible, authoritative and flawless. Anything that contradicts the Word of God can be considered a temptation. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”—James 1.13 Does the opportunity present signs of confirmation, or fruit for the Kingdom of God? Remember that a sign can come in the form of adversity… so do not discount resistance. At the same time, do not allow adversity to distract you from the path ahead. Ask yourself if you can see the possibility of lasting fruit that will benefit the Kingdom of God. “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”—Luke 8.14 Does the opportunity place your dependence upon man, or upon God? God wants to make certain that He is first in our lives. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”—Matthew 6.33 Is the Shalom of God resting upon the opportunity? If you feel pushed it is not God! “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”—Psalm 36.7-8 Next time a door of opportunity presents itself to you, remember to seek God in prayer; confirm through His Word, the signs, and the evidence of fruit; place your dependence in God alone. Then you can walk through the door with His peace and assurance resting upon the threshold of your new opportunity!