Viewing a problem as an opportunity

Sometimes we face situations that are in our eyes a problem. So for example as a church we face a situation where through no fault of ours or the schools we may no longer be able to use the building we rent on Sunday mornings. How are we to think about such things?

As we have been studying Acts we have seen again and again that problems are actually opportunities. For example Acts 2:13 some of the crowd mistake the filling of the Holy Spirit for drunkenness - that seems like a problem. But it is an opportunity and Peter takes it to preach to thousands and God through his Holy Spirit saves 3,000. Then in acts 3 the problem that presents itself is the lame man - but it is an opportunity for them to prove Jesus is alive as they heal in his name and the preach the gospel to the onlookers. That leads to another perceived problem - they are arrested and held in jail then taken before the Sanhedrin - again it is another opportunity as they preach the gospel to the high priest and others.

This pattern continues throughout Acts, every problem provides an opportunity. This has to change how we think of problems. God has not changed he is still sovereign and the gospel is still powerful to save. His purpose will be worked out - our challenge is to trust and follow his direction.

So back to the problem/opportunity being posed with where we meet. Whilst we wait to find out for sure whether we can meet there long term or not we are being given an opportunity to depend on God - he is encouraging us not to trust in location or get too comfortable. But he is also discomforting us so we think about it as a gospel opportunity, it is making us as a church think things through.

Is it right that we keep meeting there? What are its positives and drawbacks? What are the alternatives: moving to a slightly different area, using another school, doing something radically different? Where does LightHouse fit in - is it a model we could replicate on Sunday mornings or is a gathered meeting better? How would the gospel best be served?

It is also making us pray - Father God reveal to us your will so that we can best glorify you as we engage with a world desperately in need of the gospel.