June 22, 2025
Like many others in the mid-19th Century, Levi Strauss made his way to California in search of a fortune. He traveled to “The Golden State” loaded with heavy canvas fabric with the idea of making tents and wagon covers. When he arrived, the first person he ran across said, “You should have brought pants,” the reason being that what the miners were wearing was not adequate for the difficult conditions. Seizing the opportunity, Strauss took the man up on his offer and made him a pair of pants. The rest, as they say, is history. He made his fortune all right, yet not in the way he had planned.
As the Bible says, “the mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NASB). For example, launching their second missionary journey, Paul and his team set their sights on Bithynia. However, the Holy Spirit stepped in and sent them in a different direction, Macedonia. This pivot resulted in the gospel being shared, churches being enriched, and souls being saved, all at a monumental rate.
Paul would later write, “Be very careful then, how you live-not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15,16 NIV). This could mean choosing God’s path, in lieu of your own, as was the case with Paul. Or, it could be simply obediently saying yes to an opportunity that God gives you.
Toward the end of His public ministry, Jesus invited a rich, young ruler to follow Him, exchanging his earthly riches for heavenly ones. The man refused, walking away sad, presumably on the path to an eternity in hell.
A short time later, Jesus spotted a tax collector named Zacchaeus in a sycamore tree. When the Lord commanded the wee little man to come down from the tree, he obeyed, taking Jesus to his house, where he eventually was saved.
Have you taken the Lord up on His offer of salvation? If so, have you looked for and said yes to ministry opportunities He has for you?
When the Lord was looking for a prophet to proclaim His message to a wicked, wayward people, Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NASB). When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God, she responded, “May it be done according to your word” (Luke 1:38 NASB). When Jesus invited fishermen brothers Andrew and Peter to become fishers of men, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20 NASB).
While out walking one day, agricultural scientist and inventor George Washington Carver asked God, “Mr. Creator, why did you make this universe?” To which God replied, “Little man, that question is much too big for you.” “Well then, Mr. Creator, why did you make the human race?” Again, God answered, “Little man, even that one is way too big for you.” Looking down at a peanut plant, Carver asked, “All right then, why did You make the peanut?” This time God responded, “Little man, that’s just about your size. Listen, and I’ll tell you.” Carver did so, eventually developing over 300 ways to use the peanut, which revolutionized the economy of the South.
Likewise, God has a plan that is a perfect fit for you, an important invitation with your name on it. The question is, will you say yes? Will you seize the opportunity?
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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
