The Opportunity In Obstruction
Have you ever felt called? When I say called, I’m not just talking about hearing a loud voice telling you what to do… It may be that small feeling or passion that God has put on your heart. But then it seems like you continue to hit an obstruction and no movement appears to happen?
That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” (Acts 23:11)
In Acts 23 Paul receives a clear calling to go to Rome. He will travel and share the Good news with the Romans. The only problem… There was a significant obstruction coming his way. The next verse (Acts 23:12) tells the story that many Jews gather to plot Pauls death. Continue reading Acts 23, and you will see that the Roman guards and commanders get involved and Paul is transferred to Caesarea.
We have opportunities within the obstructions
Could God have you in a place that seems horrible but He is protecting you from something worse? Too often we get uncomfortable in our current situations and start to questions God. But what if we begin to recognize that God is always at work and we have opportunities within the obstructions.
As we continue into Acts 24, we see that Paul is protected from the Jews attempts on his life and he receives opportunities to share the gospel while in prison. Even when he is ‘stuck’ in his current situation, not the calling and promise given to him he uses the opportunities before him.
After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison. (Acts 24:27)
Did you read that? 2 YEARS!!!! Oh my God please don’t put me in a situation like that. Two years in an area of my life that is not what I feel called to. Is it just me or does that sound horrible? Paul was supposed to be in Rome. Instead, he spent two years in Caesarea, in prison.
I AM HERE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
Just like Paul, we all have a calling, hopes, desires but sometimes they don’t happen immediately. And just like Paul, we need to be patient and wait on the Lord. Earlier in Acts 24, we can see that Paul had many opportunities to share the Gospel and encourage and challenge people. What is your obstruction that you need to make an opportunity? Instead of continuing to focus on what you don’t have, where you want to be, what if you focused on what you do have and where God has placed you?
Today let’s recognize that even during the times we feel we are obstructed God is giving us opportunities.
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