How I Learned Not Every Opportunity Is From God
Even if an opportunity looks good, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s from God. That’s something I’ve been learning in real time.
Recently, an opportunity came my way that, on the surface, felt exciting. It had potential and it made sense. It was one of those “this could really go somewhere” moments.
But the deeper I looked, the more I realized it would require constant striving. Always keeping it going. Always maintaining it. Always making sure it didn’t slip.
And while there’s nothing wrong with hard work (I’m certainly not allergic to it), something in my spirit felt off.
When God Gently Says, “This Isn’t It”
I didn’t hear a loud no and there wasn’t a dramatic moment. There was just a quiet uneasiness that wouldn’t go away.
As I prayed, the Spirit started to open my eyes and my heart, not to what I could build, but to how I’m being called to serve right now.
What God showed me wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t something that would impress people. But it fit where I am in this season, my capacity, my energy, and honestly, my heart.
And that’s when it hit me: Striving and serving are not the same thing.
Striving Keeps You Busy. Serving Keeps You Grounded.
Striving feels like pressure.
Serving feels like peace.
Striving says, If I don’t keep pushing, this will fall apart.
Serving says, God is already holding this together.
I’ve learned that striving, even for good things, can slowly pull our focus away from Jesus and place it on outcomes, numbers, and expectations.
Serving keeps the focus on obedience.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
That verse has felt especially real lately, and I’ve tucked it away as my anchor verse this month.
A Question That Messed Me Up (In a Good Way)
Not long ago, I was asked something that stopped me in my tracks:
When you get to Heaven, will you recognize anyone you led to Christ?
Oof.
Not someone who followed my work.
Not someone who supported what I was building.
But someone who met Jesus because I was willing to point them to Him.
That question shifted everything. It reminded me that the goal isn’t to stay busy. The goal is to be faithful.
Choosing What Matters Most
The opportunity I walked away from wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t for me in this season. What God led me toward instead feels quieter. Slower. Smaller.
But it feels right.
Serving doesn’t mean doing less. It means doing what God is actually asking of us, not what looks impressive to everyone else.
Setting goals at the beginning of a new year is common. So if you’re trying to decide whether to say yes to something right now, maybe ask:
Does this require constant striving or steady trust?
Will this draw me closer to Jesus or just keep me busy?
Am I more focused on building something or loving someone?
At the end of the day, success in God’s Kingdom doesn’t look like hustle. It looks like obedience. And I don’t want to get to Heaven with a long list of accomplishments, but no stories of lives changed.
I want to serve in a way that points people to Jesus, even if it never looks big from the outside. You know what I mean?
SAVE ON PINTEREST
Make sure to check out more posts
Regina is a writer, former homeschooling mom, and owner of a comfort food catering business. A contributor to several publications, she is also an advocate for young adults with developmental disabilities and serves on the Compel Pro volunteer leadership team. Living in Ohio with her family, she designs Squarespace websites for fellow creatives and spends her free time cheering her sons from the sidelines or sipping tea while chatting about God’s goodness with women.
