Opportunties Come With Obstacles (Wednesday, Agust 28)

The Word of the Day is “adversaries." We usually expect that when we intend to serve the Lord, He will remove any obstacles in our way. But in today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 16:4-12, Paul refers to many opponents that oppose his plans to preach the Gospel. Today, we will use Paul’s example to learn why some adversaries put roadblocks in our work for the Lord. And we will briefly suggest how we can overcome these barriers.

In today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 16:4-12, Paul closes his letter to the Corinthians with a summary of his plans for his ministry. The apostle writes that he is eager to visit the congregation in Corinth and to deal with matters that he could not address in writing (11:34). Yet, he announces that he is staying in Ephesus.

OPPORTUNITIES COME WITH OBSTACLES

Paul explains, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost for a great and effective door has opened for me, and there are many adversaries” (OSB vs. 9). This statement seems contradictory.  A door has opened for “effective,” that is,  productive ministry. And yet, there are many “adversaries,” that is, opponents who will obstruct him.

Still, if we think about it, we recognize that the forces that present an opportunity and the opponents that hinder us from taking advantage of it go together. Success in any enterprise comes primarily from overcoming the project’s roadblocks. Accordingly, Paul was committed to staying in Ephesus and eager to realize the situation’s potential. But that meant overcoming his foes in the city.

THE MORE VITAL THE SERVICE, THE MORE DEMONS UNDERMINE IT

So it is with everything the Lord asks us to do in His Name. Wherever there is the call to serve, there will also be challenges to overcome. When anyone goes about serving the Lord, the devil makes that work difficult. And the more vital the service, the more demons he sends to undermine it.

FOR REFLECTION

How, then, should we respond to these countervailing forces? If we concentrate solely on the possibilities before us, we will fail to recognize and deal with the obstructions against us. On the other hand, if we focus exclusively on our adversaries, we will lose the courage to fight them. The solution is to focus on Christ. He is the one who calls us to serve Him.  When we look to Him, he will guide and empower us for the work that He gives us. We will be victorious over our adversaries in Him and according to His will.