Divine Opportunities

 

 

            “You are on the leadership team—you could do that,” I was talking with a friend about a bright idea for the group that we are both involved in to do. My friend went on to relate what they had told her would be the responsibilities of the leadership team, which was basically that it would not be too hard or too much. We do that a lot, especially out here in small rural areas, where there are few workers and much to do. In order to fill the positions of leadership in our groups and organizations, we tell prospective candidates that it won’t be hard, it won’t take too much of their time, etc. All you have to do is run the monthly meetings, we say cheerfully, with a big smile.

 

            My mind is drawn to Matthew 25:14-25. As Christians, we need to view these things differently. God puts us in our roles and positions for a purpose- to further the kingdom of God here. Every position we have, whether paid or volunteer, is from God. He put you there. It is a “talent”, if you will. As Christians, we are in whatever position we are in because of Him and for Him. So if we find ourselves in a position in the business world, we should realize it is a talent from God that He expects us to invest for His glory. Whatever our job in life, we were given the position by God and placed in it as an investment, and expected to use it to the advantage and advancement of the One who gave it.

 

            That is all fine and good for the jobs and careers that we have, but what about all those little sometimes irritating positions that we find ourselves in? Our neighbor or friend bugged us, or told us it would be easy, or not much time or effort, and they really needed a body in the position, and no one else would volunteer, and… “OK, OK” we say, “I’ll do it, but only if I don’t have to do anything more than run the meeting, or take the notes, etc.” But God knows us so intimately, that He orchestrates these opportunities to use us for Him. Notice in verse 15 of the above scripture, that the Master gives to each according to his own ability. Once we start seeing things in the reality of our spiritual life that is hidden in God with Jesus Christ, we comprehend that even these little clubs that we belong to, or the organizations that we are a part of, or positions that we think we are just a warm body to fill, are opportunities that the Lord himself has placed with his good and faithful servants to further His kingdom and bring an increase (v.20, 22). If we fail to realize the opportunities God is placing before us, I fear we will be like the slave who hid the talent in the ground and had nothing to show for what he had been given in terms of opportunity to further and increase God’s kingdom. I am trying to get better at recognizing opportunities of positions- whatever their nature- to make a difference in this world for the Lord. Like you, I want to hear “Well done, you good and faithful servant.”