The Bible is clear that God is in charge. There is much biblical evidence that people are responsible for their actions. He has granted us freedom to act. He is sovereign, we are responsible. Life happens. Sometimes it’s good, other times it’s horrible. When it’s good we don’t spend too much time analyzing it, we just enjoy it. Things come our way sometimes because we made them come our way. Sometimes they happen because of the fallen circumstances in which we live and from which we are made.
When
Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane contemplating His imminent crucifixion,
He asked if there was another way He could accomplish His mission, but then
immediately told the Father, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” There was, in
that moment, the most remarkable acceptance of the divine will in human
history. And it was not going to be pleasant.
Millions
of believers have confronted the difficult dimensions of life at the same time
they were trying desperately to hold on to the belief that God’s will is best.
Perhaps the only way we can hold firmly to a good will and confront unpleasant
issues is to recognize that the only Person who can ultimately determine the goodness
or the badness of something is the Person who has all the facts at His disposal.
1.
Psalm 84:11 – The Door of Reward: “The Lord God is our protector and glorious King. He blesses us with kindness and honor. The Lord freely gives every good thing to those who do what is right.” God’s Word continually refers to Himself as protecting us
from what’s not good for us. Furthermore, this passage tells us that God freely
gives to those who are doing right. Are you walking uprightly by obeying Him
and honoring Him with your life? If so, this opportunity may be the “good
thing” God won’t withhold from you.
2.
2 Timothy 1:7 – The “No Fear” Door: “The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His
Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” Is there hesitation on your part to enter this door? Some of
that might be a normal uneasiness about change. But if there is fear or a
feeling of anxiety, or even pressure to act soon or the opportunity will be
gone, the situation is likely not being offered by God. The door God opens for
you will present peace in your soul as you pray about it
3.
Philippians 4:13 – The “Failure without Christ” Door: Sometimes we shy away from opportunities or open doors
because they look bigger than we are and we feel unqualified to proceed. But
this is often because we fear we will fail and we tend to think God will only
call us to something we are capable of doing. But God often calls us first and
then equips us for the task. Philippians 4:13 tells us “Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to
do whatever I must do.”
God may very well be calling you to an open door in which He can do through you
what is beyond you. Don’t shrink back if you feel unqualified. Focus instead on
an opportunity God may be giving you to equip you through His power.
4.
1 John 5:14-15 – The Ask Door: Is this opportunity or “open door” one that you have asked
God for, according to His will? 1 John 5:14-15 tells us: “We can come to God
with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things
agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. He listens to us
every time we ask Him. So we know that He gives us whatever we ask from Him.” To pray for something according to
God’s will is to ask the Heavenly Father for something on behalf of His Son,
Jesus. In other words, ask for what Jesus would ask for. If that door
represents something you have asked for by faith knowing God
has heard you, and you have asked for God’s glory not your personal gain. It is
likely a door He has opened in response to your request may happen.
5.
Hebrews 11:6 – The “Only by Faith” Door: Does this opportunity require no faith on your part at all
to walk through that door? Then it might just be another opportunity, but not
necessarily God’s best for you. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith no one can please God.
Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who
sincerely try to find Him.”
So
don’t think that God will call you to something you can do without Him that
won’t require an ounce of faith. He wants your life to glorify Him and please
Him in every regard. And that takes faith. So if your open door is one that
requires faith on your part to just walk through it, then God might be the One
who is very likely holding that door open for you. Walk through it boldly and
don’t look back.
6.
Proverbs 16:3 – The Turn Door: “Turn
to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be
successful.” Is this open door something that has
taken you completely off-guard? Or is it something you have committed to God
and are now seeing it develop into an established plan? God honors what we
commit to Him so if this opportunity is one you have been diligent to commit to
God; it may be coming to realization because of Him.
7.
Matthew 18:15-16 – The Confirmed Door: In Matthew 18:15-16, Jesus laid out instructions for confronting sin among
believers saying “If your brother or
sister in God’s family does something wrong, go and tell them what they did
wrong. Do this when you are alone with them. If they listen to you, then you have
helped them to be your brother or sister again. But if they
refuse to listen, go to them again and take one or two people with you. Then
there will be two or three people who will be able to tell all that happened.”
I
believe the same applies when it comes to God confirming something in His Word.
He will often confirm or establish a matter by "two or three
witnesses" whether they be verses from the Word of God, advice from a
pastor or well-respected person who is grounded in Scripture, or a non-compromising
circumstance that continues to present itself. Through prayer, discernment and
seeking godly counsel, you should be able to tell if that "open door"
and its confirmations are truly coming from God.
“As much as you want to plan your life, it has
a way of surprising you with unexpected things that will make you happier than
you originally planned. That's what you call God's will.” (Anonymous)[i]
[i] Sources
used:
·
“7 Scriptures to Discern God's Opportunities for
Your Life” by Cindi McMenamin
“God's Will vs. Your Plans”
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