The Cost of Progress
Progress. The dictionary defines it as a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage. It is indeed a God given inbuilt desire to rise from one level to another and it is therefore natural. We all want to improve our lives. What price are we willing to pay?
The world today has devised very many deceitful ways and methods for progress and unfortunately most of the Christians have been ensnared. Certain things such as telling lies in order to get a promotion, going through carpet interviews that is having sex with bosses, firing people without a valid reason, practising nepotism, tribalism, impersonating someone so as to take over their business opportunities and deals. Or even charging very high interest on loans or offering counterfeit goods and services all in a bid of making much more money are some of the corrupt ways that there are and have been made to look normal and okay.
As a Christian, is this really right? Of course in the eyes of God it is not. God desires that whatever we do we do it for his glory. Infact 2 Corinthians 5:9 -10 says, So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home, in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one ma y receive what is due for him for the things done while in the body whether good or bad.
One of the noble stories of King David is found in 1Samuel 24 and 26. Twice, did the Lord deliver king Saul in the hands of David and his men urged him to kill him, stating that the Lord had delivered Saul in his hands for him to finish him. But David was conscious of the ways of the Lord, he refused to lay his hand on the servant of God and let God have his way in spite of him knowing that he was the next king of Israel He made a choice that endeared him more to God instead of pleasing himself and he had a great understanding. 1 Samuel 26:23 says The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness, and indeed thereafter God made even his enemy be at peace with him to the extent of blessing him. The Bible says, in verse 25, that Saul replied, May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph. Chances are had David decided to kill king Saul, there could have erupted a war between his people and those of Saul causing unnecessary bloodshed.
We always have a chance to make a choice. We can either choose to hasten our progress through wrong means or the right ones. There is surely a great reward from the Lord when we choose to bring him glory. For some the Lord may have spoken and promised great destinies and they seem to be taking too long or not true at all ,but remember the bible says in Habakkuk 2:3, For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger wait for it; it will certainly come and not delay. God will prove faithful. Wait on Him.
Some things that come along the way may look very enticing, great opportunities to make a lot of money, to help advance, but it is important to pause and ponder whether God is in it and if He would be proud of the deal. If the answer is no or there is doubt, then it is only right to let it go and trust God for a bigger opening which He will be a part of. He will surely open up a bigger door for you. In fact, more often than not when there is a great blessing ahead, sometimes look-alikes or misleading counterfeits come our way to make us lose focus and deviate us from our right path of destiny which is actually what the enemy aims at-for us never getting to our destiny. It is good to always know and have this confidence that when we go God’s way, no matter what we lose, however painful it may be, at the end of the day victory is ours and we will please the Lord and give him glory through our actions. Psalms 32:8 the Bible says, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Indeed, the blessing that the Lord gives adds no sorrow to our lives but makes us rich in every aspect.
It is we who determine the cost we want to pay for our progress. Choice and decision are in our hands for God has given us free will. It is my prayer that we honour the Lord in all we do .Where we have already fallen short, let us take some time off and repent and then begin a new way of life. There is everything to gain when walking and working with God and everything to loose without him. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. (NIV)
God bless you
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