DON’T DESPISE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
It’s easier to accomplish a goal when you start small…
Many chase immediate gratification, accolades, and high positions in life, but there is so much beauty in small beginnings and the journey to greater. Wherever you are in the process, I pray this post inspires you to embrace reaching your destiny, because there is much to be learned, crafted & perfected along the way.
David is best recognized for his role as King. However, he didn’t start in such an elite profession. Before David the king ruled what is referred to as the United Monarchy, Israel and Judah combined, he only ruled Judah.
Before successfully running Judah, David the psalmist calmed his predecessor Saul’s torments with the soothing sounds of the harp. This poet, this melodic minstrel is also David the giant slayer who killed the almost 1⃣0⃣ foot Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4, 1 Samuel 16:14-23).
Still before this, David the shepherd, fearlessly killed a lion and bear to protect his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-36). And alone in a pasture is where it all began…
David’s training for war, administration & delegation began in the humble work of a shepherd.
DON’T NEGLECT THE PROCESS
Often we base success on the outcome of one’s work and not the work itself. We deceive ourselves when we focus on the reward or the visible results of success, without due consideration to the process. BE REMINDED SUCCESS IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE. What you see is a tangible manifestation of success. The path accomplished is the epitome of success & the process endured is what makes success really successful.
DOES YOUR GARMENT FIT?
When David volunteered to fight disrespectful Goliath, the present king, Saul, attempted to dress him in his armor. However, these garments were too heavy for adolescent David and didn’t fit (1 Samuel 17:38-40). David took them off, opting to fight Goliath in the confidence of God and with the weapons of his choice.
Know Your Limits
It’s great when people recognize your abilities, allow you to develop them and equally as important is your willingness serve others with them. With that, recognize your strength in the spirit and ability to handle the responsibility you have been given. Recognize the weight of what others place on you and even what you try to take on yourself.
T.H. Ankful/Flickr
AVOID PREMATURE TAKEOFF
Jesus came across a fig tree full of leaves like any normal ripe one would display. Yet, He cursed the tree, because it was actually “deceitful.” It gave the appearance of being fruitful, effective & productive, but didn’t have one piece of fruit. (Matthew 21:18-20, Mark 11:12-14, 20-21).
Steve Hammond/Flickr
Are You Producing Where You Are?
When we attempt to take shortcuts to reach our destination and cross the finish line without enduring the race, we are as that fig tree. We have the appearance of being something we aren’t. From afar the leafy tree appeared to be productive, but closer examinations proved it had no fruit. Let this not be said among us & let us avoid cursing ourselves by moving out of season.
Progress is a process. It is in the process that we are equipped to receive, handle & maintain our destinies.
GROW, NOT GO, INTO YOUR DESTINY
Under divine guidance, the Old Testament prophet Elijah appointed a successor for his office. In 1 Kings 19:19, He placed his coat on Elisha to make it official. Elisha said goodbye to his family and immediately followed Elijah everywhere.
Elisha was discipled, taught and trained. Ultimately, He received a double portion of the gifting that was in his spiritual father Elijah, but it wasn’t without enduring the process. Only at the appointed time did Elisha grow, by training, into the garment God designated for him (2 Kings 2:11-15).
Elisha didn’t neglect the process – he didn’t neglect the training and development needed to serve to the fullest capacity in his job. I’m sure Elisha could have still been a prophet without following Elijah, because this is what God ordained him to be yet to experience the fullness of this function in God’s perfecting timing, submitting himself to Elijah was necessary.
As a result he did greater works and so will you, if you don’t neglect the process
Remember, as you grow you will go.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Be patient – When we surrender to God, we are demonstrating our trust in Him accomplishing His purpose in our lives.
- Ask God for wisdom & seek wise counsel – Consult with your spiritual leader, mentor and/or accountability partner for personal support.
- Support the vision of your leader & church – Know when you help others fulfill their purpose, you move closer to your own.
- Enjoy the journey – Don’t focus on the finish so much so that you rob yourself of the experiences along the way!
PRAYER
Father, I am grateful that who I truly am is found in Christ. Please grant me wisdom to see Your plans and disclose the intentions of others. Allow me to accept the instructions received from my spiritual leader and/or mentor, knowing they guard my soul. I ask for the patience to endure, mature and be strengthened to handle the weight Your glory.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with big things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, you will not be trusted with the true riches. And if you cannot be trusted with the things that belong to someone else, you will not be given anything of your own.
Luke 16:10-12 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Obey your leaders. Be willing to do what they say. They are responsible for your spiritual welfare, so they are always watching to protect you. Obey them so that their work will give them joy, not grief. It won’t help you to make it hard for them.
Hebrews 13:17 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Photo Credit: Pixabay/Natureworks
