A DOOR OPENS

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ONCE
by Maureen McQuillan, guest writer
 
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God is always opening doors of opportunity.  Scripture speaks several times about this and you can rest assured that as this year progresses, we will see this happening around us.  We just need to recognize those doors and not be afraid to go through them, even when they appear in unusual ways.
 But…feel timid when incredible God-given opportunities arise?  Feel that you don’t have what it takes to go through such doors?  Here’s an encouraging personal testimony from Maureen McQuillan. Maureen used to feel so inhibited, inadequate, fearful and unable to communicate that she’d simply freeze and clam up if asked to do something that’d put her in the limelight!
 MAUREEN’S STORY
Maureen’s story: Decades ago I was given an unexpected ‘grand tour’ of Mount Gambier (SA) Television Station.  As we passed a live daytime talk show being televised, I paused to observe the proceedings.  Suddenly I heard that ‘quiet, still voice’ of the Spirit whisper to me, ‘One of these days you’ll be doing that.’
 It was a classic situation where you immediately shake your head and feel that it was nothing more than your imagination or wishful thinking.  
 I should have known better!  
 Twice more I was to hear that same quiet voice repeating those scary words to my spirit.  No way, I thought, I had neither the experience nor the desire to be on TV.
 Two months later my Adelaide company informed me on a Friday night that they had booked prime TV time for the following Monday morning.  With a very popular presenter, Maureen, and, by the way, you’ll be promoting our products.
 Who me?  Help!  Time to panic.  Time to reason with them that I’d never done any TV work before, that little me (and I am little!) couldn’t go live on TV, even for a short segment and certainly not at such short notice.  Then I heard again that becalming soft voice of the Spirit.  This time reminding me that he’d already prepared me for this moment by gently telling me in advance, that this was a door of opportunity, that all would be okay as I trusted him.  I immediately sensed an unusual peace within and agreed to go on.  
 Monday morning saw me seated opposite the show’s host and, even though no instructions about the director’s hand signals were given me, we were off and running.
 
FRIENDLY HELP
The Holy Spirit is our greatest friend and helper.  We can call on him for his wisdom, strength, and creativeness in all matters whether in spiritual, business, or general life.  I certainly did so in that TV situation and I was successful.  In fact, my weekly segment ran for four years on different stations.
 Here’s the thing…It’s impossible for me to fully relate how many difficulties stuck with me from childhood into adulthood.  I’m just a little person – the proverbial five foot nothing – and I greatly lacked confidence.  Can you imagine how it hit me when told to go on live TV and speak to hundreds of thousands of viewers?  Immediately frightening!  But knowing God was in it made the difference.  Knowing that he had arranged the opportunity gave me the confidence needed.
 The Holy Spirit already had a hold of my life and was now, even through secular means, proving to me how much boldness, confidence, and creativity he can give anyone who asks for his help.  Yes, I overcame the inadequacies in my life and was successful as I looked beyond myself and relied totally on him.  And it was all a preparation for the next step!
 Since that breakthrough God opened many spiritual doors for me, enabling me to confidently minister in the ‘limelight’ on my own.  I also assist Robert in effective ministry as we minister together at churches, camps, leadership sessions and conferences, even businesspeople sessions.  And especially in trusting the Holy Spirit for everything and boldly moving in his gifts, particularly the prophetic and words of knowledge and wisdom to bless the church and mentor ministers.
 
THE OPEN DOOR
 From both of us:  Whatever ‘effectual door’ (1 Cor. 16:9) God opens for each of us this year, we mustn’t let anything, anyone, any lie or any satanic deception hold us back from taking it.  If we do lack anything, we can ask the Holy Spirit for his assistance.  
 We encourage you all to recognize those doors of opportunity and boldly go through them!