Opportunity is described as an open door.  An opportunity can be an exciting adventure or a perilous journey.  In the Bible God tells people to go.  He sends people.  He opens doors for his followers.  The choice is always theirs to go.  The great heroes of the Bible went.  They went by faith.  They did not know what lay ahead. Sometimes their journey was perilous.  Sometimes they questioned the door God had opened. They went in faith because they trusted the one who opened the door.  They had faith in the one who sends.

 

Jesus comes to us.  He tells us he is the gate.  He describes the way to everlasting life as a narrow door.  John in his revelation describes Jesus as the key of David.  Jesus is the key that opens the way to everlasting life.  He is the key that opens the life of the church, and the believer to opportunities to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  

 

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:  These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:7,8)

 

The door God opens can never be shut.  When God opens doors for us it is not because we are strong.  The task will often look to great for us.  The reason this is so is because what God places before us is impossible for us to accomplish on our own.  We walk through the doors God opens in Christ.  God opens the door.  He is our strength.

 

A devastating illness is an open door to grow and serve. A financial setback is an open door.  A difficult relationship is an open door.  A controversy is an open door.  A child is an open door for us to grow in Christ.  When we stand before open doors, we are to go with God.  We can follow his path.  We can trust his power.  The open door will lead to growth in our faith and our relationship to him. 

 

There are other options when we face open doors.  We can ignore them.  Sometimes open doors lead to temporary hardship.  There are times when they lead to conflict.  These doors are not as appealing as the uncomplicated ways.  Jesus says the effortless way leads to destruction.  Yet, our human reason says the effortless, uncomplicated way is desirable.  God never promised us a life without challenges and struggles.  He does promise that he will walk the difficult way with us.  Not only does he promise this, but he confirms this promise in the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

God opens doors.  During hardship and difficulty, we can be confident that we are never alone.  As we go through God's open doors he is with us.  When God opens doors, it is so we can be a blessing to others.  In blessing others, we are strengthened in our faith.  We will receive the goal of our faith.  The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls.