Embracing Opportunities as a Christian
Have you ever wondered about the doors God opens in your life? As Christians, we’re constantly presented with opportunities, but sometimes, we don’t recognize them for what they are. In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul talks about a “great door for effective work” that has opened for him. This isn’t just a chance to do something good—it’s a God-given opportunity to make a real difference in the world. But with every open door, there are challenges too. So, how do we step through these doors and make the most of the opportunities God gives us?
The Opening: Surrender, Service, and Sacrifice
The first step in seizing God’s opportunities is to be willing to surrender to Him completely. Romans 12:1-2 encourages us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This means letting go of our own plans and allowing God to work through us. You see, God can’t use us if we’re still holding onto our own agenda.
It’s like trying to steer a car with someone else’s hands still on the wheel—it just doesn’t work.
When we surrender, we’re saying, “God, I trust You to lead, and I’m ready to follow.”
Once we’ve surrendered, the next door that opens is the door of service. Jesus called His disciples with the words, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). He’s still calling us today. But here’s the thing: service requires us to be shaped by God. It’s not just about doing good deeds; it’s about allowing God to mold us into the kind of people He can use for His purposes. There’s a lot of work to be done in God’s kingdom, and He’s looking for people who are willing to step up. The question is, are we willing to let God shape us into those people?
Finally, there’s the door of sacrifice. Luke 9:23 reminds us that living for God requires us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Sacrifice isn’t a popular word, but it’s essential for anyone who wants to follow Jesus. Paul understood this well when he said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). When we’re willing to give up our own desires and comforts for the sake of Christ, we open ourselves up to being used in ways we never imagined.
The Opportunity: Evangelize, Educate, Enlarge, and Encourage
With these doors open, we find ourselves presented with several opportunities to serve God’s kingdom. The first is the opportunity to evangelize. In Mark 16:15, Jesus commands us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. But here’s the thing—each of us has our own “world” that we can reach. Whether it’s our family, friends, or coworkers, we all have a sphere of influence where we can share the good news of Jesus. And it’s not just about what we say; it’s also about how we live. Our conduct and conversation should both reflect the love of Christ.
Another opportunity we have is to educate. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus instructs us not only to make disciples but to teach them to obey everything He has commanded. This means that our responsibility doesn’t end when someone comes to faith—it’s just beginning. New believers are like spiritual babies who need guidance and instruction.
If we’ve been walking with Christ for a while, we have a duty to pass on what we’ve learned.
This isn’t just for pastors or teachers; it’s for every believer. We all have something to share.
Then there’s the opportunity to enlarge God’s kingdom. Luke 14:23 tells us that God wants His house to be full. But this doesn’t happen by accident—it takes work. It means being intentional about inviting others to church, sharing our faith, and creating an environment where people feel welcome. It’s easy to get comfortable in our church communities, but God’s heart is always for the lost. He wants His house filled, and He’s asking us to be part of that process.
Finally, we have the opportunity to encourage one another. Hebrews 10:35 reminds us not to give up meeting together but to encourage one another, especially as we see the day of Christ’s return approaching. The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived in isolation. We need each other. Fellowship is more than just spending time together; it’s about building each other up in faith. In a world that often feels overwhelming, the church should be a place of refuge and strength, where we can encourage one another to keep going.
The Opposition: Finance, Failure, Faithlessness, and Fear
But with every opportunity, there’s also opposition. The first challenge we often face is financial. Romans 10:15 reminds us that God’s work moves forward as His people support it. Money can be a touchy subject, but it’s a necessary one. If we believe in the gospel and love the Lord, supporting His work shouldn’t feel like a burden; it should be a joy. Yet, how often do we hesitate to give because we’re worried about our own needs?
Trusting God with our finances is a test of faith, but it’s one that can lead to great blessings, both for us and for the work of the kingdom.
Another challenge is the fear of failure. Philippians 3:14-15 encourages us to press on toward the goal, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Failure can be discouraging, and it’s easy to give up when things don’t go as planned. But God calls us to keep going, even when we stumble. The enemy wants us to focus on our past mistakes and failures, but God wants us to look forward to what He’s calling us to. Remember Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” With God’s help, we can overcome our fears and move forward in faith.
Then there’s the challenge of faithlessness. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it’s impossible to please God. Doubt is one of Satan’s most effective tools. He uses it to undermine our confidence in God’s promises and to make us question whether God can really do what He says He will do. But doubt is sin, and it can destroy God’s work in our lives if we let it take root. We must choose to believe that God is able to do all things and to trust Him, even when the circumstances seem impossible.
Finally, there’s the challenge of fear. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us that God is with us and will help us. David also reminds us in Psalm 23:4 that even though we walk through the darkest valley, we need not fear evil, for God is with us. Fear can paralyze us and keep us from stepping through the doors God opens. But when we remember that God is with us, fear loses its power. We can move forward with confidence, knowing that God is our strength and our shield.
Summary
Opportunities are all around us, but we need to be willing to surrender, serve, and sacrifice to make the most of them. God is constantly opening doors for us to evangelize, educate, enlarge, and encourage, but we must be aware of the opposition we face and trust God to help us overcome it. The challenges of finance, failure, faithlessness, and fear are real, but they don’t have to hold us back. With God’s help, we can step through the doors He opens and make a real difference in the world.
As you go through your day, consider the opportunities God is placing before you. Are you willing to surrender your own plans and allow God to use you? Are you ready to serve others, even when it requires sacrifice? Trust that God has a plan for your life, and that He’s working through every opportunity and every challenge to fulfill His purposes. Step through those doors with faith, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.
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