I was petrified. It was my first year in college. My palms were sweaty, my mouth was dry, and I was doing a lot of second guessing. I was 1,700 miles from home and about to do something I had never done before; I had the opportunity to give a speech before a real audience. Grant it, it was only a ten-minute speech. But I was about to go in front of an audience of several hundred peers and professionals who were used to listening to some of the best speakers on the planet. What if I stumbled over my words or was too nervous to read my notes? 

For me, this felt more like a chance to fail than a chance to succeed. Many times, that is how a challenge feels. But a challenge can be viewed as an opportunity. A staff member had arranged for me to give this speech, knowing that I needed to start somewhere. They understood that this could be a good way to help me break a personal barrier. It worked. My experience was positive, and it gave me the confidence to speak in other situations. What I do for a living started with a simple opportunity.

We have all read or heard similar stories where even opposition served as an opportunity. The key is perspective and motive. If what we do is done for the right reasons, and, if we believe God is with us, even opposition becomes a chance to do something good. That was my experience in junior high and high school. On many occasions I was mocked for being a Christian. My peers didn’t understand why I didn’t drink, smoke, cuss and sleep around. It bothered them that I was different. When I was able to think of my role as an honor, I was able to be myself and live out my faith. As a result, other students would often privately express their respect for me and my faith. The bullying was an opportunity to demonstrate my unashamed love for God.

Over the years it has become increasingly more counter-cultural to be a true believer. Now, all believers, no matter their age, have an opportunity to demonstrate their love for God and His principles. Rather that viewing this as a negative or painful situation, we can accept it as the same kind of opportunity God gave Daniel, Jeremiah or the Apostles. In my experience, many will join the crowd in ridiculing people of faith, but most will privately respect those who have the courage to live a genuinely Christian life. It is a challenge, but it is also a privilege. These are the kind of opportunities that require a close walk with God to survive. It is a path less chosen, but it is a life better lived.