When opportunities arise but doors are shut it’s natural to go into a somewhat desperate “What next mode?”  Mark Batterson, a pastor, spoke of two major doors that were shut–out of his control–that impacted the future of his church. He honestly spoke of the instant fear, but in hindsight it was God telling this body of believers to move.  What would you do as a pastor if the building you were meeting in decided to close its doors? How could you shuffle all those people, equipment, and find the space to continue God’s work? You’ll have to read how God fulfilled His promises!  Mark calls it a “golden opportunity”.

As I look back, I laugh at the fact that I was so scared when the doors to Giddings School closed. I even have the journal entry where I wrote that we had been “backed into a corner.” It felt like we had fallen into a pit with a lion on a snowy day. I couldn’t see a way out at the time.

And the same thing happened when I got a phone call informing me that the movie theaters at Union Station were shutting down thirteen years later. At first I was scared. How do you relocate a congregation that has grown into the thousands? Yet in the years since Union Station closed its doors, God has given us prime properties of our own worth more than $50 million. That’s unbelievable to me, and it’s no coincidence that it started with a closed door. Mark Batterson (https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/2949-chase-the-lion-dreaml/day/4)

I read stories like this and wonder how strong my faith would be if I were faced with similar circumstances? Small irritations and inconveniences seem to get in the way of progress. We also seem to fold to the status quo when we’ve tried so many times to prevail. When a God-sized dream could never come to fruition because of  your practicality and looming disappointments. Oh, and it’s hard. Really hard.

In less than 48 hours, I kid you not, I’ve read my Bible app plans, blogs of interest, and God’s Word.  In those 48 hours, I’ve had random “speaking into my life” from friends, acquaintances, and family. All of these unconnected events have a common thread in which God has, at this point, written His message in the sky.

“Listen to God speak to you.” (a random text)

“Listen….” (another random text)

“It will happen. You’ll see how it just happens because of community.” (A conversation with a shop owner)

“Closed doors are opportunities. God’s greatest moves are pre-moves!” (Bible study and God’s Word)

“Closed doors are like the story of Joseph who was sold by his brothers into slavery but in the end God used it for good….” (A friend speaking into my life, the next day’s Bible Study)

After writing these connections it seems anticlimactic, because you can’t convey the thoughts and feelings in the moment, the timing, and the Holy Spirit’s voice inside your soul work . One text literally came to me the moment I stepped out of a meeting, in which, a decision needs to be made.

Golden opportunities.

I don’t know how golden you are feeling right now. Maybe you were chosen–you obtained the golden ticket!

Maybe you feel like a character on the Golden Girls (I’m definitely the Maude type.)

Or maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve felt like you’ve desired a golden opportunity.

No matter where you find yourself in your station of life, God cares about your story, your dreams, and your disappointments.

After much prayer, I’ve decided to offer a time for us to talk about our battles and learn how to live courageously.

Please check out this link for an opportunity:

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/2LSKeuzc#/main