OPPOSITION OR OPPORTUNITY | Nathan White

Lunch time - you’re sitting in your usual spot, having a couple of laughs with your friends. Suddenly, someone brings up your church, your faith, Jesus. You feel alone, helpless and burdened by an obligation to stand up for yourself; whether this be at school, sport training, family Christmas, or your workplace.

I’m sure this is no unfamiliar feeling. Maybe your belief in God has caused you to suffer a couple of lunchtimes insults at school every now and then. The fact of the matter is, there is always going to be this kind of opposition, someone is always going to come against us because of our faith.

As we venture through these chapters, we see Paul’s faith and heart for God result in yet another arrest. As a youth I found these chapters somewhat tedious to read and mostly difficult to understand, but don’t lose heart! In order that we don’t miss out on the richness of these chapters, I want you to imagine Paul being one of those people having a tough lunchtime conversation. 

Paul had been in this situation many times before, I’m sure he had moments when he felt like giving up. However, immediately in chapter 23, Paul sees this moment of persecution as another opportunity to proclaim The Good News of Jesus.

Paul sees his opposition as opportunity. What a powerful perspective! 

In Chapter 23 verse 11, we read of God appearing to Paul and further empowering this perspective: “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’” (Acts 23:11 NKJV). Other translations of this verse write - “Take courage!” or “Be encouraged!”

Paul was in a bad situation. He was receiving the worst lunchtime roast you could ever imagine, yet the Lord was with him and told him to be encouraged. How was Paul supposed to be encouraged when he also knew that there were going to be more horrible lunchtimes like this? In fact, Paul was about to have lunchtime in Rome - that would be the worst lunchtime yet! It’s because although Paul had a lot of opposition, God reminded him of that same opportunity. 

There will always be opposition, but as long as there is opposition, there will always be opportunity.

That same person that gives you the most grief, is the same person that needs to know how much Jesus loves them. You do not need a platform and a microphone to preach the word of God. You are in a unique position to transform someone’s life by standing up for what you believe and letting them know that they can receive it also. You do not need a mic to teach, just let your life preach. 

As you read these chapters, you may notice that Paul’s lunchtimes were spent defending something bigger than himself. He knew that what he was doing was worth it! I’m sure at times he felt alone, you will see that God was always with him. I’m sure at times he also felt in over his head with opposition, but you will read that as Paul spoke, God moved in the hearts of those who were listening. It is not on our shoulders to transform lives, God will do that, but it is our responsibility to see our lunchtime opposition as life-changing opportunities.