Obstacle or Opportunity
10 March, 2009 -
Living among the piles of smelly rubbish, in an overpopulated and under resourced area, Jamal’s life is picture of hopelessness and despair. Why should he have any ambition, any purpose, goal or dream? Yet as this story unfolds, we discover something that we know, but often forget, our circumstances do not have to define our choices. We can choose to see obstacles or opportunities.
Slumdog Millionaire is described as, “escapist fantasy reminding us of the importance of dreaming while never denying the reality around us”. It is an inspiring underdog story set in the slums of Mumbai, India.
We know the circumstances are real, yet the story that emerges is a fictitious journey demonstrating true love is worth life’s trials. There is something engaging for all of us to see something emerge out of nothing, a bad situation turned good, hope rewarded with victory.
We may not be in Jamal’s situation, living in a slum, however we have our own circumstances to navigate, challenges to face and reality checks to make. We are constantly bombarded with the message that we are in a worldwide recession. We don’t have to go far to find proof that the playing field has changed. Yet our choice is to make these days an opportunity or to see them as an obstacle.
Jesus has this way of taking an obstacle and turning the situation around to reveal an opportunity.
Water turned into wine! A woman accused of adultery – the accusers challenged! A man healed when his friends saw the opportunity to lower him through the roof. Remember the disciples in the boat? They had been fishing all night long, catching nothing. After an encounter with Jesus they were willing to try again, but this time just doing things differently? Maybe we are called to “Fish differently”. Are we communicating obstacles or opportunity?
I wonder how many people have been in church recently and sung, “Great is thy faithfulness”, “My God is an Awesome God”, “You reign” and then chatted over coffee about the economy and bleak outlook we face. Ephesians 5:15 “Be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is”.
Listen to your words, look at your actions and attitudes and ask yourself, do these messages align?
Am I really communicating what I actually believe?
We need to also remind people that they are living and working for a great cause. We still need to be giving to others, we still need to be developing and equipping ourselves to serve. Recently I was speaking with a church volunteer about the Arts conference; he told me that he had not heard about this at all. When he asked his Pastor why not, he was told that it was a Monday, so he would not ask anyone to take a day off work! This made the volunteer feel quite disappointed. The reality is we now get 4 weeks annual leave every year. Two years ago this was only 3 weeks. Why should we not challenge our people to give that additional week to developing themselves to service in the church? Here’s an opportunity to challenge and stretch our people not only in time and money, but priorities and motivation. Sadly it is so easily to default into seeing obstacles for ourselves and others.
What obstacles are we putting in the way of others because we don’t want to challenge, offend or make the big ask?
“One of the greatest gifts you can give people around you is to get in front of them, eyeball to eyeball, and ask them to step up and do something great for God. Do it well, and you’ll bring glory to God, esteem to the other person, and much needed resource to your ministry.“
Bill Hybels page 23 Axiom.
In your ministry this week look for the opportunities to honour God and inspire others.
Margaret Spicer
Executive Director
Willow Creek Association New Zealand
