Opportunities

Have you ever thought of an invitation as an opportunity? I have received many invitations in my life, and as I reflect on them, they are all opportunities, some I took and some I didn’t, or as I look back, I missed an opportunity. My college roommate invited me to be in his wedding. I accepted that invitation, and it was not only a tremendous opportunity to be there to celebrate with him and enjoy that happy occasion, but also helped build a friendship that has continued to grow throughout the rest of my life. What an opportunity.

I was invited to join the cross-country team and later the track team at Stanislaus State University after showing interest in high jumping. The coach capitalized on my interest and invited me to join the cross-country team. What a great opportunity to learn to run, grow in my love for running, build some lasting friendships, and share my faith with several guys on the team.

When I was in my second year at Dallas Theological Seminary, I was invited, along with some of the other Christian Education majors, to take a small, close-knit discipleship class with Howard Hendricks, the department’s chairman. What an opportunity to learn from him and grow in ministry alongside a few other Godly men.

Every day, I am invited to read God’s word, meditate on it, and ask God to help me understand His heart in that passage. I have always been drawn to study and grow in Spiritual Disciplines. At times I enjoy them, and at other times I want to do other things, just as when running track or cross country, I had days I enjoyed running and other days I didn’t. When it comes to spiritual habits that help us get to know God better and grow in our faith, there is a sense that it is a discipline, and I need to set aside my feelings, buckle down, and work hard at those disciplines. This might be reading my Bible, memorizing some of it, praying, worshiping, or sharing my faith, and so on. Discipline is part of growing in these habits.

But there is another aspect of these spiritual disciplines that enhances their value and helps me avoid missing out on these opportunities. As I read God’s word, I see invitations throughout scripture:

1. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
2. “O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8)
3. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
4. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 with John 17:3) An invitation to believe and an opportunity to have eternal life.
5. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1,2)
6. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
7. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.” (Psalm 37:5)
8. “Come and see the works of God.” (Psalm 66:5)

Why is it helpful to see the many invitations in the Bible as opportunities? Let me answer that question by taking you to Psalm 8:3-4. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him. And the son of man that You care for him?”

Why does the creator of the universe and of each individual on the earth care about me? I have no answer other than to look at God’s character. He loved me so much that He sent His only son to die in my place and give me eternal life. Just as a wedding invitation was given by someone who wants me to spend time with them by coming to their wedding ceremony, and just as other invitations were given by people who wanted to sit down over a cup of coffee, or to learn or grow together, or just to talk, so too God invites us to walk with Him. He invites us to draw near to Him, to pour our hearts before Him, and more. The creator of the universe invites you and me to walk with Him, to talk with Him, and to grow in love with Him. This is an opportunity I don’t want to miss.

In this section, I would like to examine some of these opportunities and hear from them, letting their perspectives motivate us regarding “Spiritual Disciplines.”

Reflection:

As you read God’s Word this week, note where God is giving you an invitation to draw near to Him. Think through the opportunity that is being presented to you. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for inclining Your heart towards me. Thank You for the many opportunities you give me to draw near to you, to listen to you, and to walk with you. Help me experience this week how good it is to be near you. (Psalm 73:28)