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The Christian journey
is very challenging. Well, perhaps you find it easy. Kudos if you do!
I come face to face
with daily tests, seasonal trials and periodic temptations. I love the Lord
Jesus and I’m fully aware that he constantly strengthens me in every way
necessary for me to overcome and finally receive my reward in the end. However,
there are several moments when it feels just plain hard to be Christ-like or
serve sacrificially in ministry.
If you do not have
any hard time at all, please feel free to read other posts on this blog and
ignore this one; but if my words resonate with you on any level, please read
on.
Lately I’ve been
taking out time to study “great” men and especially women in ministry from the
16th century to this point. I’ve come to the conclusion that there
is really nothing new about the tests, trials or temptation that we have to deal with in today’s world.
Everyone whom God
ever used had to make sacrifices in one area of life or the other BUT God often
gave them greater than they let go.
Are
you willing to sacrifice?
I keep asking
myself this question.
Look, I’ve given up what I consider “a lot” already, in love and service to God but I have also realized that not until I attain the predestined height in Him I still would have to let go a lot more. (Ephesians 4:13)
Look, I’ve given up what I consider “a lot” already, in love and service to God but I have also realized that not until I attain the predestined height in Him I still would have to let go a lot more. (Ephesians 4:13)
Over time, I have
realized that just when I think I’ve given “my greatest”, I’m back at the altar
again with the next greatest raised to power two” thing!
I once thought that
making sacrifices would be a onetime thing. I was wrong. It turned out that
with every new level or season I had to let go something I considered major.
Has/Does that happen to you?
I’m writing this to
say, if you’ve ever had to sacrifice an ambition, a relationship, a dream, a
status or anything else to fulfil God’s purpose for your life, you are not
alone. You should also note that it isn’t going to be a one-time thing
therefore you should prepare your heart in advance to not get entangled with
anything or anyone so much you can’t let go.
BUT THEN…
Making sacrifices isn’t
enough. We can make all the sacrifices we need to fulfil destiny only to have these thorns ruin our testimony.
Thorn
one-Persecution
In
fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)
Persecution
is the mistreatment or hostility shown to someone as a result of their beliefs.
Many people started out well but couldn’t endure persecution for their faith. I
said to my mum recently, “I guess it’s easier to stand a gun against your head
when someone tries to get you to deny Jesus, than it is for you to overcome
prolonged persecution and deep ridicule for your faith”. This is because a true
believer knows where he is going should he be martyred; but in the face of
prolonged persecution and deep ridicule, we could lose sight of the glory ahead
of us and eventually succumb to pressures.
Persecution
comes in various shades and sizes. From the classroom to the office, from
neighbourhood to family, from fields to boardrooms, we all have our share of
hostility for doing the “Jesus thing” as they call it.
However,
one thing we must note is that the
strongest way to ruin a man is to break his spirit. Persecution is targeted
at our spirit. We must guard our hearts and frequently seek and find comfort in
the loving arms of Christ through the word, personal promises and in prayer. I
admit it’s not often easy but it’s possible. So help us GOD!
Have
you been persecuted or are being persecuted for your faith in Jesus? Please share
your experience with me in the comment box.
Thorn two- Criticism
Do
not Judge so that you will not be judged. Mathew 7:1 (NASB)
This
is the act of analysing and passing judgement on someone’s action, faults or
mistakes.
While
persecution is most often from people of different faith/belief or level of commitment
to Christ, criticism is mostly from fellow Christians.
We
analyse and pass judgement on each other on trivial and serious matters. From a
person’s financial status, to their marriage or divorce, to their dress sense
or lack of one, to their Facebook posts and all!
I
keep wondering if the pressure from the world isn’t enough such that believers
have the time to nail one another.
I
admit we “all” know the scripture but isn’t the knowledge of scripture suppose
to move us to pray for one another and counsel if we have such relationship
with the one who “fell”?
The
judgement day is scary enough! We don’t need to make one another quit on the
race by our hostile words and “holier than thou” attitude.
This
thorn called criticism would hit you especially if you are set out for an
uncommon assignment. Not everyone will agree that the Lord is leading you. They
will also not agree that the shoes pinch so much that you made a wrong
decision. However, you must often remind
yourself that THIS IS YOUR RACE not theirs and you are first answerable to God
before men. Therefore, learn from your mistakes; repent where you have to and
CARRY ON with the assignment. Don’t let this thorn make you quit!
Thorn three- Offense
And
blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me. Mathew 11:6 (KJV)
Have you ever stopped doing something God
asked you to do because someone hurt you or got you upset? It could be that you
stopped singing in your church choir, you stopped teaching Sunday school,
stopped praying for your church women group, stopped evangelising at school
just because someone pressed the wrong button.
While
persecution and criticism are external thorns that reached for the spirit,
offense is an internal thorn that breaks a man from the inside out!
I
can totally relate with being offended. I have had moments when serving in
ministry felt like a herculean task because I was hurt or ripped in bits by an
experience or other people’s action.
Being
offended seems like a normal human response but it is a deadly thorn that ruins
testimonies.
When
you are offended, you can hardly hear God’s voice. Service and Serving becomes
irritating. That which you once did with joy becomes annoying.
I
just want to remind us. That Christ is deeply concerned about our hurts, the
anger and all that might have made us feel unusual towards to Him or His
service. In fact, he said woe to whoever offends you.
“It is impossible but that
offences will come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! “ Luke 17:1 (KJV)
So
God definitely won’t find it funny with the person who influences you to
withdraw from Him. However, He said you are blessed (Greek word Makarios which means happy, to be envied) if
you are not offended in HIM! Mathew 11:6. Doesn’t that mean He has some goody
in store for you???
Don’t
let offense ruin your testimony, darling.
He
that overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also
overcame and sat down with my father on His throne. Revelation 3:21 (NIV)
Would you overcome these three thorns?
HELP US LORD
JESUS!!
Join me this weekend at the Birthplace Mentoring School(BPMS)for a 3-day mentoring session that will equip your head, heart and hand
to fulfil destiny! It’s totally online and free for ages 15-19. For more
information and to register, CLICK
Committed
to your Fulfilment
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