The Giver of Opportunity

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As a person with position and authority in many areas of my life, I am so thankful for the many opportunities that God has provided to me.  One thing that I have learned throughout my life is that if God has called you for a specific purpose, he will give you everything that you need to accomplish it.  Philippians 2:13(NLT) says, “ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”  In every opportunity I have been provided by God, he has given me the passion, vision and comprehension to complete the task at hand.  Yet, in all efforts to complete the goals he has set forth, I know that it is not by my might or power, but by God’s spirit that lives within me (Zechariah 4:6).

I have to confess that there are times when I face mighty giants, sometimes at every turn.  Sometimes, these giants emerge at the moment when God has confirmed a calling that he has ordained for me.  Their supposed purposed is to impede the opportunities and the higher calling placed on my life.  I admit, sometimes it feels like these “giants” are winning and that I’m in a losing battle.  It’s in those moments that the Holy Spirit reminds me of God’s instructions in Joshua 1:7-9.  Here are 5 other things that God taught me about these giants:

1. Giants only look gargantuan in size when looking at them with “selective focus”.  There is a feature on my camera called selective focus.  It allows me to focus on a single prominent object or on the larger expansive picture.  When I’m focusing on that single prominent object, the bigger picture becomes a blurred background.  When I focus on the bigger picture, the single prominent object becomes vague and fuzzy.  Think of God as the big picture and the giant as the single object.  We have to change our focus to be fixed on the big picture, which is God and his plans for us.
2. Giants aren’t necessarily other people.  Sometimes, they are ungodly desires fueled by our flesh or motivations that are not inspired by God.  Many times, fear and insecurity are giants that paralyze us from moving forward.
3. Giants keep us humble.  Sometimes, we can become conceited and prideful.  Especially, when the fruit of our labor has made our name renowned in various spheres of influence.  The Apostle Paul recognized this in his own life.  In 2 Cor 12:7-10NLT he says, “even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
4. Giants are given more credit than they deserve.  Why do we place our faith in the destruction that these “giants” can cause instead of the mighty power of God? Job 42:2 says, Then Job replied to the Lord:  “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”  If God is for me, and no one can pluck me out if his hands and no one can stop him, why do I think anyone can stop me specifically when God has called me to fulfill his purpose for my life?  God is ALL powerful.  1 John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  I am in the hands of the all powerful true and living God who is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17).  Therefore, I can walk with confidence knowing that I am protected and secure.  No giant is more powerful than the true and living God.

I’ve learned a lot about giants.  God constantly reminds me that he is the giver of opportunity.  God gives and takes away (Job 1:21).  God moves mighty mountains out of our way (Zechariah 4:7).  God opens doors that no man can shut (Revelation 3:8).  If God has given you an opportunity, know that through his guidance, through the power of the Holy Spirit and through the power of constant prayer, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).  God is stronger than any giant, real or perceived.  He alone is the giver of opportunity.