Open to Opportunity

Renée Antrosio – July 14, 2026 1 Comment

Being open to possibility is an important practice for my mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In high school, I called it spontaneity, choosing to embrace daily possibilities, remembering that I had choices. But years of being responsible for a job, house, marriage, kids, etc dulled that sense of freedom. Without realizing it, I had forgotten spontaneity and possibility.

During my sabbatical in 2024, I adopted the practice of breathing in possibility each day and breathing out gratitude of being alive, for simple and extravagant blessings. Each morning, I recall the unexpected possibilities of yesterday- a delicious treat, the sudden joy of a hummingbird or hollyhock, a friend reaching out of the blue to connect, a thrift store find. The possibilities that emerged yesterday encourage me to expect new possibilities for today. These are ingredients of hope, glimpses of goodness that open my eyes to expect to see more.

So, I like the concept of possibility. It aligns with who I want to be, how I want to be in the world. But a new word came to me yesterday that feels less comfortable. A nudge from God to take another step of faith. Particularly on behalf of New Covenant, a shift in thinking that does not come naturally to many of us. Opportunity. I am unsettled by this word. It doesn’t feel like me, which is a tiny clue that this is a word from the Spirit, not from my own spirit. 

I am ambivalent about seeing things, events, circumstances as opportunities. Well, truthfully, initially, I feel pure resistance. (Check your body- what is your first response to the word opportunity?) There are a lot of negative connotations; perhaps you also have a history with people who proclaim “opportunity!” that has left a bad taste in your mouth. 

A biblical word search reveals a similar result: the word “opportunity” cuts both ways. Sometimes Paul talks about the opportunity to tell the good news, to share our resources with other believers, to do good. Other times he warns us not to give the enemy an opportunity to undermine our faith and witness. So I feel justified in my hesitation to embrace the “opportunity.” 

And yet. As Melissa often says, quoting scripture. And yet, I feel like God is prompting us to take the next step of possibility in being open to the opportunities God brings our way. Opportunities to provide hospitality, to open our building and speak the good news, to share our resources. 

Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:9-11 (NASB)

Looking back on this year, I see that the Jubilee celebration brought so many unexpected opportunities for connections and joy. In this Sunday’s Celebration of Life for Judy Checker, I recognize the opportunity to serve her family and to be encouraged by the stories of her life. Looking ahead to fellowship meals and planning fall events, I am prompted to notice the opportunities ahead to enter into the good works God has for us in serving our community and the household of faith. 

So, on this journey together, I invite you to embrace possibility and be open to opportunity as God beckons us deeper into faith. Let us not become discouraged or weary. Instead may we look back on the possibilities and opportunities that God has brought in the past as seeds of hope for the possibilities and opportunities of our future. -Renée, NCF Pastor