The Immeasurable Worth of Sacrifice
Nobody in a leadership position started where they are at the moment. It has been a journey. Some paths have been rough ,while others have been smooth. There have been highs and lows and as much as they have been led by their desire to succeed and see their dreams come true, they have also paid the price in other words ,they have made numerous SACRIFICES along the way.
As I was seeking the Lord on what to write for this month, I was convicted to write on this issue of the immeasurable worth of making sacrifices; going God’s way even when it makes no sense to us and is uncomfortable. For instance, there are times we pray and ask the Lord to give us a job and after some time or immediately He answers and we get so excited and grateful. However when we get in the new work place, we discover that it is not the Canaan we thought it would be; instead it begins to look like God made a mistake in His leading. Other times one may get a job where one’s educational background is greater than the job description and you end up feeling misused and under worked while other times God may lead you to a place where you feel overworked and underpaid or even not paid at all yet you faithfully go to work on a daily basis and give it your best. This is common in purely commission-based jobs and you just do not get clients and your bosses and colleagues begin looking down on you.
More often than not we are caught up in a net of questions to God. Why did you lead me here even after praying for a good job? why don’t you open another door for me? Lord do I deserve this? and the questions go on and on until frustration and anger begin to creep in if unchecked. This is the most natural reaction but we have a choice to either be bitter or better with God.
God has good plans for each and everyone of us even if it does not look or sound like true at the moment.. Jer 29:11,a scripture we often quote says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Friend, when God is involved in your business, and He leads you to a place, appreciate it and give it your best. Do not complain for when you complain you remain and when you praise you are raised. Know for sure that God delights in blessing you but He also has to shape you up lest He blesses you and his blessings become an idol .
Remember Joseph and his dreams (Genesis 37). He did not even know their meaning at that time, nor did he anticipate the hardships that would befall him because of his destiny. Yet when he was betrayed by his own brothers, put under pressure by Potiphar’s wife and worst of all imprisoned for a crime he had not committed,he still stood firm and confident in God. Because of this God raised him up to a position that only God would take him to – He put him in charge of Egypt. God elevated him in a foreign land, not in his native land.
Friend, keep an attitude of praise and thanksgiving in your foreign land, knowing for sure that God will come through and he will determine your altitude. Do not give up. One common song says, He knows my name, he knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls and he hears me when I call. God knows you by name, he has not ignored your prayers. He has heard them and in due time. He will meet all the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4-6, Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires your heart .commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like noonday sun. Hebrews 10:35-37 says, Do not throw away your confidence :it will be richly rewarded .you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he is promised. For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
King David wrote, Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:10). He understood that with God on his side, he would be at peace, reach greater heights and have no regrets. Moses also had a similar revelation and his is found in Exodus 33:15. Moses said to him, if your presence does not go with us do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all other people on the face of the earth?
In a nutshell, our prosperity and posterity will come from being where the Lord wants us to be and by having him directing and leading our steps. Do not lead your self; however challenging things may be at the moment, if the Lord has led you there stay put and continue seeking him You never know who or where He wants to connect you with. you will look back some day and you will be grateful that you chose to obey him. Mourning is just for a night joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Remember, patience pains but it pays. Pay the price, the sacrifices you make will be richly rewarded. God loves you and he cares.
God bless you.
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