Ephesus was a major commercial and religious centre. It was a major crossroads to that region of the world. If Ephesus was won then many could find Christ.
I wonder if someone reading this today is about to move into or is already in the centre of a major influential place, workplace or neighbourhood. The invitation from the Spirit is maybe to remain and invest your life into that place because God wants to us you beyond your understanding.
The Apostle Paul had such a place.
“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” (1 Corinthians 16:8-9)
This last week I was listening to one of my Pastors talking of how their children’s work had grown to over 100 and yet there was also a price to pay as they faced some opposition. Other Pastors were listening and then they began to share of the successes and favour from God that they were seeing but also the cost that they were having to pay. This combination of effectiveness and opposition seems to have always been with us.
Paul says he has more than a door of opportunity for the gospel but that it was a great door! The opportunity is what is keeping him there. The opposition is not driving him away.
Significant opportunities often come with significant opposition and it doesn’t mean you are in the wrong place it often means you are exactly where God wants you.
Missions Paul 