They say when opportunity knocks, open the door. I say open the door but don’t always walk through it. I have been waiting for some things from God; when I say “things,” I do not mean material things. There are some places in my walk with the Lord that I believe I should be, should have been, and eventually will be. Often times there are what appears to be God given opportunities presented to us, but they are really tests to prove our relationship with Him. Might I also add that the devil is not often responsible in these life trials we face?

For those who follow my articles and/or Facebook page, you know that I now have a daughter whom I love very much. Since her birth I have been through a whirlwind of emotions, walked through some fire, and seen ground breaking results. What my wife and I believed God for in the natural, I have also believed for in the Spirit. “First natural then spiritual,” I can hear Bishop McLaughlin saying. Financially things could be much better, but we don’t even smell like smoke. Very recently a door was opened for me to be able to better provide for my family that literally rocked my world; yet another door opened for me to be able to rock the worlds of others. The problem was and still is that both doors could not be God’s best for me and my family.

The Prophet Elijah and his journey is where I found comfort and hope. Elijah had two scenarios that helped me, the first being Elijah’s encounter with God at Mount Horeb. It is at Horeb that God shows Elijah the wind, the fire, and the earthquake, yet Elijah cannot find God in any of these, but he finds God in a still and small voice. We need to realize that it was God, not the devil, who showed Elijah these great things but he had to listen very purposefully for God’s voice, and not buy into the hype.

Secondly, I can fully relate to Elijah’s time at the brook of Cherith. It is here that God commands the ravens to feed Elijah, not at the Jordan River. Jordan was a much bigger place that probably had more opportunity to sustain Elijah, but that still small voice kept him at the brook until it dried. I can say that this is currently my testimony; having to trust God in spite of what looks bigger and more impressive. As Kingdom citizens, we must take time to draw out counsel and learn to hear what God’s voice really sounds like despite the opportunities and great things around us. I believe God tests us to prove us and approve us for destiny. Can you hear Him? To hear Him is to be Kingdom Minded.