Because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Cor. 16:9
Had Paul just said, “a great door for effective work has opened to me” and stopped, we would have every cause to jump and shout. However, notice how he continues: “and there are many adversaries.” The door was opened, and it was not an ordinary door. It was a breakthrough moment. The moment the enemies saw that the door was opened, they showed up to close it, hindering Paul from going through it.
We are at the edge of breakthrough – are you going to cross over? We have all struggled to get to this point – will we follow the Holy Spirit into our destiny, or will we hold back and just test the waters?
As Christians we are called to surrender to God, to trust Him to direct our paths, and to submit to His lead and plans for our lives. But do you ever feel maybe just a little envious of those who get to do whatever they want? To make all their own choices and decisions, and to live just they please? This would seem like such freedom, and after all isn’t freedom what Jesus bought for us at the cross?
It can be easy to believe that the commitment to wait on the Lord and follow His plan for our lives is restrictive. However, His intent is not to be domineering, but rather to lead us into our most joyful, safe, and productive opportunities. That is so much better than a “hit or miss” kind of life, which sometimes works but at other times is just failure and frustration. Being in God’s plan doesn’t mean that everything is going to be perfect, but at least we can avoid things that we would otherwise have to deal with in a lifestyle of “doing it our way.” His heart is not “obey Me or else!” it is “follow Me and I will show you the best way for you!”
Last year, the Lord decided to break us of our own visions, abilities and ideas. He is a God of progressive vision. His vision has no dead ends. He opened the door for us to begin construction on Pune Center. He provided all the resources needed to open the Girls Home. He sent a new doctor to the Medical Clinic with a vision to minister to those that are most hurting. He called men and women to lead the Koinonia School of Ministry (KSOM). He is growing His church as many hear the Gospel and give their hearts to Jesus, leaving Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
