I’ve found it amazing how many times I’ve walked through an open elevator door only to realize I was getting off on the wrong floor. And I know I’m not alone. Just this morning, I entered an elevator and greeted an elderly couple. A few minutes later, they walked out when the elevator door opened, and had to walk back in embarrassed and apologetic because it was the wrong floor.
Wired to Walk through Open Doors
The thought occurred to me after assuring the couple they caused no inconvenience, that the Lord has wired each one of us to walk through open doors, especially opportunity doors through which he wants us to walk. It also occurred to me that just like me and the elderly couple, we sometimes go through the wrong door at the right time or the right door at the wrong time.
Be patient, willing to wait for the right opportunity.
When we do go through the wrong opportunity doors, it’s often because we are doing so for the wrong reasons, or following people who are doing something completely different for different reasons. We are not paying attention to what we should be doing or where we should be going.
Know Where You're Going
You need to know where you’re going and why. When you get on an elevator and push a button, you hopefully know which floor you are getting off and are willing to wait until you reach the correct floor. It’s the same way with pursuing God-given opportunities. You have to be patient, willing to wait for the right opportunity door at the right time, God’s time.
Know Who You Are
When you’re looking for opportunities in life, you need to know the kind of opportunities for which you are looking. Knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish in life, especially in your Christian walk, will help you seize the right opportunities at the right time.
Patience is key when waiting on the Lord to open the right doors for you. Prayer and being in God’s Word are essential in determining which opportunities to pursue.
Be Open to Opportunities
Sometimes you have to be ready to get off the elevator on a different floor than you anticipated. A number of times elevator doors opened and I saw an old friend, an unexpected joy. In the same way, we have to be open to opportunities that appear unexpectedly.
At other times, the Lord surprises us, bringing people and events into our lives unexpectedly that will affect the path we take. Again, prayerful discernment is key to making the right move at the right time, according to the Lord’s time.
Additional reading:
Listen to God’s Words
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. (Proverbs 10:5)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Also read: Psalm 139, Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 25:1-46
In the Words of Others
“Life is like an elevator, up and down. Just make sure you get off at the right floor.” Keith Douglas
“Some say opportunity only knocks once. That is not true. Opportunity knocks all the time, but you have to be ready for it. If the chance comes, you must have the equipment to take advantage of it.” Louis L’Amour
“God’s timing is always perfect. Trust his delays. He’s got you.” Tony Evans
Think About It
List opportunities of which you took advantage. Describe how they turned out. Was timing a factor in your decision? Describe how.
Recall reasons why you missed opportunities. What could you have done differently? Was timing a factor? Explain how.
List opportunities you face. How do you take advantage of them? Will God be part of your discernment process?
