THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY
After the fall of Babylon, the Israelites returned to their home. In 446 BC, Nehemiah received word from Hanani about Jerusalem. Saying that, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah began to weep and mourn for days when he heard this. The once great nation that he took pride in was destroyed, but he continued to fast and pray before God. Nehemiah recorded the prayer, which the Lord answered. He prayed, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant that I now pray before You day and night for the people of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against You. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that You commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.” (Nehemiah 1:5-10)
The Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer by making him the king's cupbearer. One day, King Artaxerxes asked him why he looked sad. This scared Nehemiah because he knew what he had to say. BUT, he prayed. And when he prayed, God gave him the courage to stand up for his nation. Nehemiah expressed to the king that he desired to go to rebuild Judah. Because of his courage, the king allowed him to do so! Nehemiah left and gathered men to help him rebuild. They faced opposition; they faced doubt, and they even faced death. But this didn’t stop them from doing what they had set out to do.
Now, I want you to think about what that could mean for you! What are some places where you could be more courageous?
For a long time, I dreamed of being a photographer, but it just always felt out of reach. I always had an excuse as to why it wouldn’t work out. Whether it was not making enough money, not knowing where to start, or just not really feeling like I could do it. And I let myself keep making excuses for about 3 years, which really put me behind. But going into my freshman year of college, I decided to stop being afraid. I prayed that God would give me the opportunity to do something photography-related, and about a week later, the opportunity presented itself. I finally bought a camera and quickly gained a clientele through a friend. Because of this, I got to work with multiple football teams, couples, businesses, and schools, but one of these clients stood out the most. This team was nowhere near the best team, but every young man on that team put all of his heart and soul into football. Their coach told me that this was because they viewed football as a way out. Many of them were caught up in gangs and street violence. Some of them were part of it from a super young age because of their fathers. When the coach told me this, my heart broke for them. But thankfully, I got the opportunity to share the love of Christ with these young men and even helped some of them decide to walk away from that life and start over. It was then that I realized that this was about more than just photography; it was a ministry.
I started wearing my Jesus shirts to photoshoots, hoping someone would ask about it. I invited players to come to church with me. I would send players graphics with Bible verses on them to encourage them. And most of all, I was there to talk to them about whatever they needed. All of this was because I stopped being scared and trusted God, but none of that would have happened if I had turned down the opportunity. I wonder now what would have happened if I had said yes to the opportunities before. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way! I know that I’m exactly where God needs me to be.
The main point that I want you to get from all of this is that when we ask for courage, God may not just give it to us directly. I have found that He often gives me opportunities to be courageous.
What are your current opportunities to be courageous? What have you been making excuses to not do? Is it stepping into a new job? What about standing up to someone? Maybe it’s finally picking up your guitar. Or is it even something like buying your first camera?
Whatever it may be, I encourage you to do it! Praise God for the opportunity to be courageous. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)
God has given you the strength and courage. All you have to do is step into the opportunities He’s given you to use it!
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