For 2020 to truly be a year of opportunities, we need to be able to identify them. Hence the question arises: How do we identify opportunities?
To answer this question it is worth talking a little about WISDOM.
See what the psalmist says:
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
The Psalmist is basically talking about the brevity of life and that our days need to be numbered, that is, lived wisely and not wasted.
About wisdom
We as humans already have a wisdom in us related to our ability to read the world, read people, and read circumstances. From our reading we try to make the best plans, projects and make the best decisions.
However, we who believe in God have access to His wisdom. We have access to a spiritual understanding of life. The Father is able to reveal to us things we would never be able to see on our own.
The Bible itself gives us the wisdom of God. The Word brings to our understanding teachings that we could never access for our human reason. It illuminates our steps and illuminates our choices because it contains the wisdom that comes from above.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119: 105
Ask for wisdom to see opportunities
Whenever I pray in the morning I say to God: Lord, help me this day to see situations as the You sees. Teach me to see the opportunities that the You has given me. Put Your eyes on me and Your discernment.
A wise person who looks at life with a heavenly look is able to identify opportunities. Can perceive the open doors and the closed doors of God.
Because even closed doors, that is, difficult situations and trials are also opportunities.
Trial = Opportunity
Hardly 2020 will be a perfect year. We will probably have good days, but we will also have difficult and trying days.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1: 2-4
James in this text says that trials must be a source of great joy. Trials are opportunities to grow. He concludes by saying “so that you may be mature and complete”. Whenever we need to pass, whether in high school, college or in other situations we need to pass a test. And once approved we enter new phases and seasons of our lives.
I was recently watching one of the videos from the church’s “Ahoy” series Onda Dura (a Brazilian church). In the video Pastor Lipão said something very profound about the trials.
He said that trials lead us to maturity because they are also opportunities to know God more deeply in his various attributes. I know the provider God closely when I need provision, I know the God of miracles when I need a miracle, I know the God who heals when I need healing, I know the God of hosts when I am in battle.
When we see God in the midst of our struggles, our relationship with Him becomes even deeper. His miracles and actions are kept as testimonies in our memories.
So enjoy every opportunity. Ask God for wisdom every day! May 2020 be a year of great opportunities well taken advantage of.
Also you can enjoy reading the Word every day in 2020 with our reading plans !!!! We have annual plans, New Testament in 3 months and many thematic plans! Plans are available from the main menu of the Bible Offline app.
