FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word

Weekly Word

The Revelation of Opportunity and Opposition

9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
1 Corinthians 16:9 ESV

Whenever one looks at opposition, on contemplates: negativity, obstruction and disagreement. However, God’s perspective of opposition is not about bringing frustration but a revelation. The revelation of opposition reveals an opportunity from Deity. It is with every opposing force God is proposing an opportunity. Biblically speaking, in the book of Psalms, shares with us the presence of opportunity partnering with opposition.

• “prepared tables [opportunity] in the presence of our enemy [opposition]…”
• “….making your enemy [opposition], your footstool [opportunity for elevation]…”

The lesson being wherever you find opposition, look for opportunity.

Many of us miss the opportunity of Deity because we focus too much on the opposition.

• TO ONLY FOCUS ON OPPOSITION AND NOT OPPORTUNITY IS DISCOURAGING BUT TO ONLY SEE OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT OPPOSITION IS DELUSIONAL. OPPORTUNITY AND OPPOSITION GO HAND IN HAND.

The illustration of opportunity and opposition is seen in the kite. The kite rises not with the wind but against the wind. In order for us to rise, there must be an opposing wind that is not working against us but really working for us. The opposition we face in life is allowing for us to rise. Opposition is a necessity in Christianity because it allows us to rise to the occasion found in the opportunity and not succumb to the negativity that seems to be working against us.

As Paul letter to Romans reminds us that, “And we know that all things work together…” The opposition and opportunity are designed to work together for our good. It doesn’t always feel good but at the end of the day, it is all WORKING FOR OUR GOOD!

Pastor James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor