What did you see when you read the title above? Some see “opportunity is nowhere,” while others see “opportunity is now here.” This eye test may or may not reveal whether you see the glass half empty or half full. Do you tend to focus more on the challenges and circumstances, or do you focus more on the potential and possibilities? Everyone leans in one direction or the other — being optimistic or pessimistic. God is at work in our midst, and our prayer should be that we do not miss His movement because of sin in our lives or a calloused heart. Your goal should be to join Him where He is working.
In The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Hopeful and Practical Guide for Leading Your Congregation to a Brighter Tomorrow, Sam Rainer challenges us to be cautious optimists. Cautious because you understand the sinful nature of man, but optimistic because you are aware of the omnipotence of God. Notice the word “hopeful” in the subtitle. What if God is on the move around you, and you are so distracted, discouraged or despondent that you do not even notice? Proverbs 10:5 states, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”
First, perhaps you need to get alone with the Lord and ask Him to restore your purpose and joy? In Day by Day and Night by Night onDec. 13, Ronnie Floyd stated, “Have you ever felt so low emotionally that you wondered how you could return to having a life with purpose, meaning and joy?” Can I get an amen? Dr. Floyd illustrates this through the life of Naomi in Ruth 4:15, “And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age.” As you look at the new opportunity of 2026 you should be able to see that “opportunity is now here” because of who God is. Seize the moment.
Naomi had resolved that her life was pretty much over, and there was nothing to really hope for. Yet, God had another plan, and He orchestrated a meeting with Boaz, who became their kinsman-redeemer. Out of this remarkable union came Obed, then Jesse and then King David. Dr Floyd continues, “Never underestimate what God is doing and will do in and through your life. Your story continues.” Sam Rainer says, “Get excited. Be optimistic. Begin to notice the work of the Holy Spirit. God wants every church to be revitalized — including yours.”
In this new opportunity — 2026 — our focus must be on stewarding where God is working and how we can join Him there. It is time to pray Eph. 3:14-21 over your church. Mark Clifton, in His podcast, Revitalize and Replant, statedthat your calling in your church is to “preach, pray, love and stay.” Simple, yet the challenge is real and convicting. Preach the Word (II Tim. 4:2). Expository preaching can be defined as reading the text and explaining it in context, and your goal is that the meaning of the text is the meaning of your sermon. Do the people remember what the text is about?
What does the prayer culture in your life and in your church look like? Are you praying for revival in your life, your church, your community and your country? In The Hour That Changes the World, Dick Eastmanchallenged us, “The degree to which prayer is mobilized is the degree to which the world is evangelized.” There is no record of Jesus sitting down and teaching His disciples to preach, but He did teach them how to pray. As a matter of fact, Jesus’ primary ministry today is making intercession for us in Heaven (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24). Jesus leads in prayer by example.
Preach, pray and love your people, your church and your community. Recommit yourself to I Peter 5:1-4 by loving the ones God has given you to love. Develop a shepherd’s heart for the sheep He has made you the under shepherd over. Don’t be looking for a better flock. Instead, pray, teach, disciple and mentor your flock. Sam Rainer gave a great word here: “Optimistic leaders will love their church right where it is now, not some future version of the church. There is no upside if you despise the church when she is down. You must love people where they are to help guide them where they need to be.”
Preach, pray, love and stay. Unfortunately, while pastoral tenure is getting longer on average, many still tap out way too soon. In the first two or three years, things rock along pretty well, but then people begin to understand the cost of change, and resistance sets in. This is when the adversary, the devil, begins to whisper in several people’s ears, and they start having doubts about the necessary changes. Do not forget that there will always be spiritual warfare and adversity as you lead the Lord’s church to fulfill its mission and calling. We know that I Peter 5:8-9 is written for us for a reason.
Never make a major decision while going through great difficulty. Maybe God wants you to go through that time to learn and grow, and for your church to do the same. Paul desired to leave Ephesus and go to Corinth because a great door had been opened to Him, but he also stated, “and there are many adversaries.” Here is what Mark Clifton said on this: “You don’t leave the battlefield in the middle of the battle.” Paul was stating, “I can’t leave now, the fight is on.” The reality is, there are times to move to other ministries, but adversity should never be the primary reason you leave for greener grass.
It seems that Paul is telling all of us that adversity is a reason to stay, not move on. Any place where the gospel is being preached, prayer is being offered, love is being demonstrated and the kingdom is being advanced, there will be adversity. Preach, pray, love and stay. The opportunity is now here!
