“Windows of Opportunity” 21 April 2020

                                                          
                                                              Windows of Opportunity

“What is a window of opportunity?

"Thought this to be: 'Great reading and wanted to share it!"

 By: Colin Burns

Looking through a different Window

"I have been thinking about windows and “Windows of Opportunity”.

What is a window of opportunity?

A window of opportunity is a short, often fleeting time period during which a rare and desired action can be taken. Once the window closes, the opportunity may never come again.

In some cases, it is possible to plan for and anticipate a window of opportunity and then act accordingly when the window opens. Many times, however, an opportunity arises that is unforeseen, and it is up to individuals to identify the opportunity and then to act on it.

The bible often speaks of windows, I have just listed four examples below, three referring to windows of heaven (only three times this phrase is used), and once regarding Daniel and prayer.

Genesis 7:11  (Judgement)

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

2 Kings 7:19 (Famine)

Then the royal officer answered the man of God and said, “Now behold, if the Lord should make windows in the heavens, could such a thing be?” The man of God had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”

Daniel 6:10  (Prayer)

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.

Malachi 3:10 (Blessings)

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith said, the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

It is interesting to note that the phrase “Windows of Heaven being opened” is mentioned first in the book of Genesis and then in the last book of Malachi of the OT.  It is also interesting to note that there is very little references to “windows” in the New Testament.  Couple of examples include.

Acts 20:8

Eutychus was seated in a window as Paul talked on and on. He eventually fell into a deep sleep and then fell to the ground from the third storey.

2 Corinthians 11:33

In Damascus Paul had a narrow escape from the City by being let down in a basket out of a window.

So as we can see not all open windows are beneficial for mankind, they can be opened for God’s judgement and action against sinfulness but also can be opened for Him to pour out His blessings.

We are in this unique time with this world wide pandemic. As a Church we can look at this window of time from two perspectives:

·         God’s judgement on the sinfulness of man and the wickedness of the world.

·         God’s blessing for the Church to generally seek Him in earnest prayer for revival as things have been shut down.

The windows of heaven represent the unlimited resources God and at this time it also gives us the opportunity to take stock as to where we are individually and as a Church.  It is a good time to reevaluate our lives, our priorities, commitments etc. 

God desires to open His windows and pour out like a floodgate opening at a dam, pouring forth overwhelming and abundant blessings. The windows of heaven are to be opened so we may receive God's unlimited provisions and release them by opening the windows of our church.

Deuteronomy 28:12, 23

The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow…and your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron.

As I mentioned at the beginning there are three references to Windows of Heaven (Genesis, 2 Kings and Malachi), but only one reference to an earthly window (Daniel) who opened his window towards Jerusalem to pray.

As God has opened this window, He will eventually cause it to shut so let’s not waste this opportunity but to use it wisely and press deeper into God, seeking Him more earnestly in prayer as individuals and collectively as a Church so that when this plague has passed we will be in a stronger position to start moving forward with definite purpose.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Windows of opportunity are short periods of time within which a key decision/s can be made that will produce a desired outcome.

• Windows of opportunity are often fleeting, and if the window closes before the decision is made, the chance can be lost forever.

Therefore, let us use this time wisely and to our advantage by seeking God more than we have before and be prepared to answer His call and be prepared go in whatever direction He has set for us.

Colin