SHINE WHERE YOU ARE (Romans. 8:28)
It does not matter where you are now or what you have done, what matters is what you choose to do after a fall! We have all missed the mark at one point or the other when we were at the crossroads of life. It is significant to note that the righteous falls seven times but rises again because God is a God of another chance. God can bring a message out of your mess as you follow Apostle Paul’s explicit injunction to “forget those things that are behind and press on to the finish line” (Phil. 3). In plain words, you have no excuse not to arise and shine and become a success.
Many success stories you read or hear about today were the stories of men who refused to fail, after they failed. Failure is a place, not a destination. Refuse to remain anchored to the place where you fell. You can rise again from that place of defeat (Isa. 60:1).
God commands in Isaiah.52:2 to “Shake thyself from the dust. Arise and sit down, O Jerusalem. Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.” You cannot shine when you are sitting down in desperate depression, disillusion and despair. Arise in your mind by renewing your thoughts with the Word of God (Rom.12:2), and by pulling down the strongholds of vain imaginations and thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5). Arise from your former ways, (II Cor. 4:17). It is difficult to put new wine in old wine bottles (Matt.9:17).
Like Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, Keep Company with people that will make your baby to leap in your womb. Hanging around wrong people can abort your dreams. Evaluate the friends in your boat! Associate with the kind of people that will add value to your life because “Iron shapeneth Iron”.
There is strength in you that you haven’t used yet. There is an anointing for wholeness and greatness in your life that you haven’t used yet. Arise and build your strength as you work progressively to obliterate your weaknesses. Stand up with courage and determination to shine, dominate, conquer and rule your world. Don’t allow fear to paralyze your heart or sink your boat as you coast home to the shores of victory (I Tim. 1:7).
An unplanned life is a failed life. Your heavenly Father is a planner. Imitate Him by planning your life and setting goals that will lead to a greater tomorrow for you and your family. Commit your plans to Him and watch Him order your steps to fruitful conclusions. (Prov. 3:5-6). Make trust a vital element in your relationship with Him.
Arise and develop yourself. Avail yourself of good Christian books. Your Bible is your compass that you must always employ as you navigate your way through life. Attend seminars and conferences that will help you to grow in relevant areas of your life. Believe in yourself and invest in yourself (Phil. 4:13). If you are not willing to, no one will do it for you!
In conclusion, the only prerequisite for you to shine is to stay obedient to God and His Word (Matt.4:4)! Wherever you are – at your work place, your school, your home, or in your community, you are there to make a difference as you shine like the light upon the hilltop and show forth the glory of God!
Brethrens, in spite of all that you are going through, God still expects you to win!
Pastor Aduke Obey