Opportunity knocks. Are You Answering The Door?

Pastor David Groenenboom. Trowel & Sword. April 2002

Preamble: The 1989 movie “Dead Poets Society” starring the late Robin Williams highlighted the catch cry “Carpe Diem – Seize the day”. This in a nutshell is the message that David brings to us in this pointed article. We are often not good at taking opportunities as they present themselves; or to put it more accurately, that God places in front of us. Those of you who have read “Trowel & Sword Special Edition,” may remember the quote from the movie “Evan Almighty” which also speaks of taking opportunities. Remember, “Opportunity knocks only once” is a common proverb advising that you must take advantage of a special chance immediately, as it may never return. It emphasizes being prepared and proactive, as hesitating or waiting can lead to missing out on significant moments, (or opportunities).

Opportunity knocks. Are You Answering The Door?

This year I turn 44. I started work in 1975, and I entered the ministry in 1986: that’s 16 years as a serving pastor. Or 5844 days! What could someone accomplish if they had all those days at their disposal. What did I accomplish? Er, …next question, please!

The moment we start to think about time, we should also think of opportunity. Assuming you read this on April 1, there are 275 opportunities left this year to accomplish things that will make you and others better leaders, or make you more effective Christians. Get serious! After all, Jesus was. Read Matt 25:14-30, and replace the word “talent” with “opportunity”. A sobering exercise!

We Christians have some things to learn here. While we move slowly forward, and sometimes backward, opportunities pass us by and we hardly see them. Is it because we just don’t think in terms of effective churches and equally effective witness? Interestingly, the Bible only speaks of opportunities being “seized” – by the evil one (Rom. 7:8,11). Because of this, Christians are called to make the most of every opportunity, and to be wise in how we act (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). But think about it, when was the last time your church really seized an opportunity?

Every time you pay a visit to people in your pastoral care, you are presented with an opportunity to encourage them toward maturity in Christ. Do they need a word of congratulation for a job well done? Do they need someone to challenge them with an ill-thought life direction? Do they need a listening ear as they struggle with the bucket-load of pain life has dumped on them? Opportunities revolve around needs.

That’s why opportunities come thick and fast – some are discerned, others are created. We discern opportunities when we take the community pulse, and speak to the issues people are wrestling with. We discern opportunities when we notice a few teens who show leadership potential, and we sponsor them for Target 21 or Club 5 programs. Maybe they won’t be the best leaders just yet, but we get excited about how they could develop if they (and we) make the most of their opportunity.

It’s like bird-watching! Most people walk through a park oblivious to the variety of bird-life around them. They hardly hear the sounds of the mudlark, or the lorikeet. And how do you tell a magpie from a butcher-bird? They’re just all budgies of different sizes, aren’t they? But for the trained eye it’s very different. But only because the eye has been trained to spot the difference.

Leaders need to train their eyes, ears and hearts to discern the opportunities around them. They need to take the pulse of their church and community. They need to have some idea of what will provide the best context for preaching the Gospel and growing the church. Opportunities will be discerned.

Opportunities may also be created, and then, in not the most ideal circumstances. Sometimes we encounter hard and sharp situations in the body of Christ. A family falls apart. A teen dies tragically. The pastor accepts a call, and we wonder how another will ever be found. This is where a leader will seek to create an opportunity to affirm an important truth. The broken family provides an opportunity for warm care, prayerful support, and words of hope. A tragic death provides an opportunity to affirm that life cannot be taken for granted, to prophetically challenge irresponsible behaviour, to point people to the security of Jesus’ promise of life.

How we respond to the events around us will determine whether we use our opportunities wisely. Robert Maxwell reminds us that Saul and David both faced similar life contexts. They were surrounded by godly men, both faced great challenges, both had the choice to change and grow, both were called to follow in faith. Only one did. Each life may have taken a different course had they responded differently to the opportunities God gave them.

How you respond to your opportunities will affect the work God does in the people around you and the place he has put you.

Discuss

1. How could your church engage your community with the Gospel now? What are the big issues your community is dealing with, and how might you address them?
2. What would need to happen for you to be faithful with these opportunities (e.g. Matt 25:21. Eph 5:16)?
3. Which present challenges that you face could be turned into opportunities for growth?
4. How could you change your meetings so that you would be more effective at discerning and creating opportunities to be more effective as God’s people?

David Groenenboom

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Recent Comment – In The U.S. – When President Kennedy Was Assassinated
A great report from one of our respected leaders of the past showing leaders of families and communities how to respond to calamities in out lives. Our countries were still Christian countries then. What would the responses look like in our days and later?
Keith