Opportunities!

Opportunities arise as we go about the varying day-to-day activities of life. Some of these opportunities are more significant than others and may surface through unimagined circumstances. Perhaps we often focus on the good situations of life as those being the ones to provide good opportunities to SERVE THE PURPOSES OF GOD. However, even during trying times in the lives of others we can find opportunities to direct the focus toward Him. Being brought into contact with people within our community who have lost a loved one to death, I have been able to connect in ways I may not have been able to otherwise. This kind of opportunity may be easy for us to recognize, but how about the opportunities that could arise IN THE MIDST OF OUR OWN STRUGGLES?

Note what appears to have provided Paul’s first connection with those at Galatia.
“(13) You know IT WAS BECAUSE OF A BODILY AILMENT THAT I PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO YOU AT FIRST, (14) and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.” ( Galatians 4:13-14 ESV)

We don’t know what the physical ailment was of which Paul suffered while there, though it appears to have related to his eyes. (note verse 15) Whatever it was, Paul noted it as having not only been an ailment suffered himself, but that it had been a trial to them as well. The good news related to Paul’s circumstance at the time was in it having provided the OPPORTUNITY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL to them. Though some might allow illness to stop their activity, for Paul he found in it the OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE the message of Christ.

Perhaps the lesson for us is that when we are challenged by that which could seem to restrict our activity, let us begin to look for what opportunities it might create to draw attention to God. This might be done through the faith exhibited in how we accept or work through the situation. It may be a visible sense of peace rather than anger that such would befall us. Or it may be the very opportunity to CONNECT WITH OTHERS we might not have been able to otherwise. In this way we can begin to learn all the more how God can work all things out for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. ( Romans 8:28) May God be glorified in all of our life experiences.

Have a great day LEARNING HOW TO BEST USE LIFE SITUATIONS FOR GOD!
Carl

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