Opportunity Knocks . . . Or Does It?

Mike Hosey, An Elder

Opportunity is best defined as a set of circumstances that make it possible for something to happen. For instance, if you develop a great computer idea that no one else has, and meet a childhood friend with great business savvy who is also interested in computers, there exists an opportunity for you to become one of the wealthiest and most influential people in the world. That’s a bit how Paul Allen and Bill Gates of Microsoft fame became the household names they are.

But opportunity is a tricky thing. It doesn’t always make itself easily known. Unfortunately, the adage that we should open the door when opportunity knocks isn’t a good one. Afterall, how do you know when it’s opportunity knocking and not something nefarious? Well, instead of waiting for opportunity to knock, it might be better to get on the other side of the door and seek it out.  Of course, this has problems as well.  As Thomas Edison noted, most people miss opportunity because it often comes dressed in overalls and looks like work! Edison’s wisdom is profound. If you don’t look for opportunity you will never see it, and if you don’t see it you won’t engage it, and if you don’t engage it, you won’t reap its potential. In other words, Edison is telling us that if you aren’t willing to work on multiple levels, then opportunity is a shadow, and a cruel time-wasting fantasy. The truth is that opportunity is everywhere. There is always, and all around us, sets of circumstances that make things possible.  These possibilities can be either good or bad.  If we look for opportunities to do things that waste our time and harm us, they easily can be found.  If we look for things that can edify us, edify our brothers and sisters, or that can advance the kingdom of God, they easily can be found. Think about it for a second.  No matter how many good things exist in your life, it is highly likely that opportunities to complain will abound if your mind is attuned to complaint -- despite the resources at your fingers. But in the same life, opportunities to better yourself more will also exist, and you’ll have the resources to engage the opportunities. In the poorest of lives, where opportunities seem few, and hardships many, some people shun complaining and rise to higher levels.

Paul cements these truths when he commands us to take opportunity to do good to everyone, explaining that if we nurture our flesh, we’ll get corruption, but if we nurture our spirit, we’ll get life (Galatians 6:6-10).

The Name of Jesus!

Mike Hosey, An Elder

One marvelous evening, the angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph in dream and announced to him that Mary would have a child, and that they would name him Jesus. He explained how this name was appropriate because the child will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Joseph obeyed the angel’s message and they named their miraculous child, Jesus. For those of us who believe, the rest is history. But what, exactly, is the origin of that now wonderful name?

The New Testament is written primarily in Greek. Since the writers of the gospels were advancing their narrative in a mostly Greek world, they used a greek word to translate the Hebrew name given to Joseph by the angel Gabriel. Joseph and Mary were Hebrew.  So the name that Gabriel gave them was a Hebrew name. That name was Yeshua. So follow this if you can.  Jesus is the English transliteration for the Greek version of the Hebrew name, Yeshua. The name means, essentially, “God is our salvation.” Think about that in terms of the other name that Gabriel used.  He also said that his name was Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). That name means, “God with us.”

Interestingly, if you read through the Old Testament, you will find over and over again the English word, “salvation.”  It is frequently translated from the word, “Yeshua,” which is the Hebrew name for Jesus. Just a few examples (randomly picked) are Psalm 70:4, Psalm 74:12, and Psalm 88:1.

Now, consider that Gabriel told Joseph that Jesus would rescue his people from their sins. His statement assumes ownership, and implies common experience. In his humanity, Jesus is one of us. And when we choose to follow him, we are his people. He has lived with us and walked among us (John 1:14). In fact, he has experienced the temptations that we have (Hebrews 4:15), but has not sinned. He is God with us (Immanuel), and the one who saves us (Yeshua)!

Presents and Presence

Mike Hosey, An Elder

Every holiday has its pinnacle or climax. For Easter, it’s usually the egg hunt.  For Independence Day, it’s usually a grand finale of fireworks. For Halloween, it’s trick or treating.  For Thanksgiving, it’s a turkey dinner. And for Christmas, it’s usually the giving of presents.

But notice something interesting here. For those holidays that are not explicitly Christian, the climax makes perfect sense.  But for those that are explicitly Christian, the climax bears little, if any, relevance to the reason for the holiday. For instance, shooting off fireworks to celebrate independence from English rule after hard fought battles where fireworks were used is understandable.  A night of trick or treating lines up very well for a Celtic pagan holiday rooted in a time in which one dressed up as demons in order to trick real demons and keep them from molesting your evening. The meaning behind expressing gratitude on Thanksgiving for the bounty at your table is self-evident. But what do eggs and a bunny have to do with the death burial and resurrection of Jesus?  And how does giving presents to each other remind us of how the wise men gave presents to the birth of God among men?

Of course there’s nothing wrong with bunnies and egg hunts. Christian freedom allows for them, plus they no longer bear their pagan significance. Presents at Christmas are perfectly acceptable, and when done appropriately prompt us to think of the needs and desires of others over our own.  

But what would happen to our Christmas holiday if instead of focusing climactically on the giving of material presents, we gave, sought for, or expected the presence of Jesus? What would happen to our lives? Our world?

Think about it. The presence of God brings not only joy, but the fullness of joy, and pleasure as well (Psalm 16:11).  It has also been known to bring rest (Exodus 33:14), as well as refreshing (Acts 3:19-20). It is in his presence that you will see the best of humanity (Psalm 140:13). And it is there that he offers protection (Psalm 31:20).

So give and receive your Christmas presents, but enjoy them in his presence!