Thursday: Sensing Providential Opportunities
The book of Acts is filled with stories of how the disciples took advantage of providential opportunities for the advancement of God’s kingdom. From one end of the book to the other, we read fascinating accounts of the early church and how it grew, even despite the challenges it faced both internally and externally.
In 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NKJV), for example, the apostle Paul tells his experience at Troas: “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.”
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
God miraculously opened a door for Paul to preach the gospel on the European continent, and he knew that doors that God opens today might be shut tomorrow. Seizing the opportunity and seeing the possibilities, he immediately sailed for Macedonia.
The God of the New Testament is the God of the open door — the God who provides providential opportunities for us to share our faith. Throughout the book of Acts, God is at work. There are open doors in cities, in provinces, in countries, and most of all, in individual hearts.
Read Acts 8:26-38. What do these verses teach about Philip’s openness to God’s leading and his responsiveness to divine opportunities?
“An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God’s way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men”. — Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 109.
If we have ears to hear and eyes to see, we, too, will be guided by unseen angels to reach truth seekers with the truths of the kingdom.
| Notice how central the Scriptures were in this story. Also, notice how at this point it was so important for someone who knew the Scriptures to expound on them. What lessons are here for us? |
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People often ask me how is it that I photograph so many different species of birds in our local area. I usually respond, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that I am just lucky. I go for my walks and there is a bird sitting on a branch, flying overhead, or strutting along on the ground and I just point the camera at it and click the button. The point is that most bird photography is good luck. The trick is placing yourself in the locations often enough where that luck is likely to happen. I go for a walk with my camera every day, and that is why I see and photograph the birds that others never see in our area.
Jesus was an opportunist too, but he placed himself in locations where those opportunities were likely to happen. He was at the well in Samaria, at the wedding in Canna, at the feast in Simon's house. He mixed with people, he travelled and took part in the activities in daily life.
A few years ago I attended a College staff seminar where a well-known Australian religious broadcaster and author had been invited to speak. He spoke to us about the importance of Christians taking part in the great discussions of national interest. He said too often the only "Christian" voice in such debates were Christian political lobby groups rather than genuine Christians taking part because they were sincerely interested in what the nation was doing. He was asked what area Seventh-day Adventists could focus on that was in the great national interest. His response was immediate, "Lifestyle!" He said that Seventh-day Adventists had a very high credibility in the area of lifestyle and we would be listened to and could help change the lifestyle profile of Australia.
That is one reason why I have become involved in programs such as CHIP and in particular, the follow-up. It makes a difference, and it provides opportunities to share the love of Jesus us a casual, yet meaningful way.
The expression, "Seize the Day" or its Latin equivalent, "Carpe Diem" has become a popular expression these days. It carries with it the sense of making the most of the present, rather than dwelling on the future.
Jesus made the most of the present when he was living on earth. Maybe the message he is giving us now is to "Seize the Day!"
From several commentaries it appears that Paul was on his way from Ephesus to Macedonia and had arranged to meet Titus at Troas or Macedonia after his visit to Corinth after Paul's first letter and Paul was eager to hear how they received his rebukes. After waiting for a while at Troas and Titus not arriving Paul decided to carry on to find him in Macedonia because it was important to him to find out about the result of his letter to Corinth.
So although his mind was occupied with thoughts of Corinth he used the opportunity presented to preach to the people at Troas.
This reminds me that although I might be busy about my or the LORD's work to always be sensitive to possible opportunities to share the good news along the way.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! Ps 84:1
Sensing Providential Opportunities
For years now I do believe in providential and not luck. Things like 'good luck' does not exist with me. I speak and operate my life under providential. From the very moment I woke up in the morning whatever time it may be, to retiring back to bed whatever time it maybe is providential to me, because of this fact, I believe in angels.
It was my angel who woke me up this morning and not the alarm clock. As I prayed, I asked the Lord to lay some soul upon my heart. As I go about, I was very mindful of people and events. My job is one in which you are placed in different places, seldomly you are at the same place. At first (years ago) I used to grumble, fuss, and fret when I was given a (hard, terrible, bad) assignment. Then I started realizing it is not the person who gave me the assignment but it was providential that the Lord allowed me to have that assignment because he is the one who wants me to have it so he can show me his power and might. As I keep trusting in him, I saw how he works. He helps me with my assignment and I get through before many others, the work then seems easier. I got to meet people who I would not have met if I had an easier assignment.
I like being led by the Holy Spirit and my angel. In all of those mentioned above, those people were led by the Holy Spirit and by an angel whether literally or spoken to.
Very Beautiful ,I Totally Agree , Inspiration,(THE HOLY SPIRIT ) AND MY ANGEL.....Ps 32:8 ,TEACH ME ,INSTRUCT ME THE WAY TO GO ,GUIDE ME WITH THINE EYE ,AMEN
Also, pray for me to sense and seize the end time providential opportunities God has set before me and you. Jeremiah 33:3
C.J. replied to my Wednesday post and 'opened my eyes' to make sure I know the correct meaning of the English words I use. His comment prompted me to change the word describing my approach from 'blunt' to 'direct' - again, thank you C.J., your response was also providential! 🙂
Providential is another word who's meaning I had to research in the dictionaries provided online to make sure that I understood it correctly. I do not want to rely on someone else's use of a word to define its meaning for me.
What does 'providential' mean in the Bible?
providential. ... The Latin root of providential is providentia, "foresight or precaution." Providence changed over the years; it usually referred specifically to the care of God, and it was spelled with a capital P.
Involving divine foresight or intervention: heaven-sent, miraculous.
Worldly application: lucky because it happens at the right time, opportune, fortunate.
What is God's divine providence?
Traditional theism holds that God is the creator of heaven and earth, and that all that occurs in the universe takes place under Divine Providence — that is, under God's sovereign guidance and control. According to believers, God governs creation as a loving father, working all things for good. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
The lesson writer states: "If we have ears to hear and eyes to see, we, too, will be guided by unseen angels to reach truth seekers with the truths of the kingdom".
And this is what I want to focus on: our ability to RECOGNIZE providence. If our observations are careful and spiritually inspired, we see God's providence - opportunities - everywhere around us. Our eyes were opened to God's providence when we received His Holy Spirit, and we can see His Providence in all its multifaceted forms in our daily lives.
Observations are made using our senses, but the Holy Spirit within us guides our thoughts and response toward their application in the spiritual realm. He is the spark that lights the spiritual candle which sheds its light into the giver's as well as the receiver's heart!
Luke11:34-36 - Being 'oblivious' is not an excuse/option any longer! We HAVE to become receptive, be able to discern God's providence governing our lives! It is a matter of the heart to sincerely desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Governed by the Holy Spirit, our eyes and ears become the receptors to detect God's Providence, heart and mind are the conduit through which the information flows, and hands, feet, and all means at our disposal are used as means to 'respond' to God's Providence.
As has been long established - opportunities for witnessing our Faith are not only found in sharing God's Word, but much more often by our ability to observe, assess and respond to the God inspired/manifested Providence in our life.
One thing to keep in mind is that even Jesus was not always successful converting souls, at least not immediately, with every encounter. In the case of rich young ruler, he walks away disappointed and we never hear of him again. Jesus also had many encounters with Jewish leaders. Some like Saul/Paul, may have been among those that converted later after Christ’s death but we do not know. The point is to not get discouraged when we do not have immediate success with those we have opportunities to witness to. It may be years before that encounter or a combinations of encounters, have an effect.
Should we always take on opportunities, as sometimes we might feel burnt out.
Feeling burnt out? You are not the only one. Jesus and the disciples also at times felt burnt out. Then Jesus would go apart from everyone to spend rejuvenating time alone with His Father. He would take His disciples aside from the crowd and spend time with them alone.