1 Corinthians 16: 8-9” But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
Paul had an awesome view of obstacles. He is a pioneer in his own right. Here he is in Ephesus and he describes the situation as a great work. This gives an impression that revival is breaking out, that the people are earnestly receiving his message and running with it. Then in the next breath, he says that “many oppose me”.
What?
This is not a picture of opportunity. This does not sound like something inviting that he should desire to stay around. However, Paul understood that greatness has nothing to do with ease.
I have been listening to Focus on the Family in the morning on the way to work and they have been playing a Thanksgiving reenactment of the first Thanksgiving. (It is pretty good.) Anyways, the Pilgrims looked at their hardship as God’s provision in this new land. They lost 50% of their colony and praised God for their life, realizing other colonies had lost 90%.
Our outlook determines our success. God has doors open for us, but if we only focus on the difficulties we will never know the greatness beyond. Difficulties come and go. Let’s count on out lasting the trouble. I am encouraged to press forward and leave a mark of greatness behind me.
What will you do with your difficulties?
Paul had an awesome view of obstacles. He is a pioneer in his own right. Here he is in Ephesus and he describes the situation as a great work. This gives an impression that revival is breaking out, that the people are earnestly receiving his message and running with it. Then in the next breath, he says that “many oppose me”.
What?
This is not a picture of opportunity. This does not sound like something inviting that he should desire to stay around. However, Paul understood that greatness has nothing to do with ease.
I have been listening to Focus on the Family in the morning on the way to work and they have been playing a Thanksgiving reenactment of the first Thanksgiving. (It is pretty good.) Anyways, the Pilgrims looked at their hardship as God’s provision in this new land. They lost 50% of their colony and praised God for their life, realizing other colonies had lost 90%.
Our outlook determines our success. God has doors open for us, but if we only focus on the difficulties we will never know the greatness beyond. Difficulties come and go. Let’s count on out lasting the trouble. I am encouraged to press forward and leave a mark of greatness behind me.
What will you do with your difficulties?
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