“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain,...See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them" -Deuteronomy 1:6-8 (NKJV)
Individuals, churches, corporations and communities are all seeking positive changes and improvements. Man isn't designed and created by God to stagnate and be in the same level year in and year out. In the above scripture, God was showing His displeasure at the children of Israel who after leaving Egypt were stagnating in Mount Horeb. He simply told Moses their leader that they should make progress. One major source of human frustration is lack of progress. People lapse into bad behavior quickly when they are frustrated and make little or no progress. The four words below if embraced with the grace of God can effect positive changes in our lives:
1) Desire: This is more than mere wishes. It is actually a strong longing that consumes the owner. This is a must have for a change in the positive direction. How badly do you desire the next level? Life will always test how badly we desire something. Blind Bartimaeus, the blind man in Mark 10:46-52 who was born blind couldn't be silenced when he heard Jesus was passing. He so much desired to have his eyes opened that every opposition gave way at the sight of his desire.
2) Aspire: The next level I'm desirous of is already being lived and enjoyed by someone. Human beings find it difficult to have a vision and a dream for their lives. God in His mercy will often plant a picture of that unknown future near us. That picture many times could be someone already living your aspirations. Apostle Paul helped Timothy find his bearing in life and ministry. Elijah was Elisha's picture for the future. Naomi was Ruth's picture for the future. The future you are unsure of could be seen in a mentor near you that you admire. Whose lifestyle, conduct, charisma, ministry, career, etc do you admire? Who are you aspiring to be like? Who is already living your next level? A careful observation and study of them can impact greatly on you.
3) Inspire: The word 'inspire' can be broken into 'in' and 'spire' or 'spirit'. This simply indicates inward energy, life, breath or motivation. It borders on ability to self motivate and self encourage even when the desired change isnt forthcoming or in view. Inspiration is energy. It is to stay fired up and upbeat about life. Elijah, the mighty man of God ran out of inspiration after the battle on Mount Carmel and Jezebel issued threats on his life. He lost motivation to continue on his destiny path and his ministry terminated shortly after (1 Kings 19). It is true that if you are not constantly inspired, you will soon expire. Inspiration also leads to innovativeness and creativity. The greatest motivational book ever written is the Word of God, the Holy Bible. The greatest source of inward energy on the earth is the Holy Spirit and we should make sure we allow Him to motivate us at all times(John 7:38-39).
4) Perspire: To perspire simply means to sweat. It means to work hard at something and sweat as a result. Jesus prayed so hard at the Garden of Gethsemane that He sweats of blood. Elisha worked so hard as Elijah's servant that he got his next level as a result. To enter one's next level it is necessary to take on the workload and responsibility of the next level. Many times, the next level also has to do more with mental perspiration. God gave human beings brain to function and also solve some human problems. The brain is like a muscle, it delivers only when it is exercised. Every invention, product or merchandise is called the brain child of the owner. What is your brain child? What has your brain delivered to warrant your next level?
Conclusion: Desire, Aspire, Inspire and Perspire are prerequisites to enter the next level. However, all these without the grace and favor of God don't guarantee the next level. Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is accepting the grace of God. Growing dynamically in Jesus is growing in the grace of God.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
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