Every obstacle in life is an opportunity. What if we viewed life that way?
Now, I’ll admit. I have a long way to go in being really good at this. But I do believe that every obstacle in life is an opportunity.
The first opportunity we have is an opportunity to grow. In fact, there is no growth without obstacles. The same is true in our faith. The only way for our faith to grow is through obstacles. Why would you need to grow if you never had to face any obstacles?
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
The second opportunity we have is an opportunity to go.
Obstacles sometimes force you into new arenas, or new areas of life, leadership, and ministry. Crises, like the one we are in now, both with COVID 19 and also the spotlight on racial injustice, they are thrusting us into new arenas and new areas we otherwise may not naturally go. If we only view this time as an obstacle and not an opportunity we will miss our chance to go into new territory that is much needed in our country. That is a good thing!
We see this all through Scripture. We even see this in the story of Jesus. Every obstacle God’s people faced presented an opportunity to GO into new territory.
The last opportunity obstacles bring is the opportunity to glow.
Grow, go, glow. And by glow I mean to shine the light of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.
Every obstacle in life is an opportunity. Where do I need to grow? Where do I need to go? Where do I need to glow? Look for your opportunity, not just the obstacle.