This is important for everyone called to a great destiny. As Christians, we look to God as our Father. In fact, we are joint heirs to God’s inheritance. Galatians 4:7 says, ‘So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.’
So, then the danger arises when we as Christians end up thinking that we will receive everything that we ask. But to state the truth, from time to time, we find ourselves sulking about something that we really wanted and did not get.
I’ve had my own times of sulking but after some polishing and molding from God, I look back today and I praise God for shutting doors because now I realize how I was not ready for that blessing.
There is another important verse in that same chapter that we must understand closely. Galatians 4: 1, 2 says, ‘What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.’ To explain that in simple words would mean that even though you own all the blessings, our Father in heaven waits for the right time to give it to you.
For an earthly example, even though that the child rightly has access to his father’s car, his father waits for him to grow up till the age that he is legally allowed to and also capable of handling that car! Otherwise, that same car which is supposed to be a blessing may end up destroying the life of that child. How much more our Heavenly Father understands when we are ready for our blessing!
Now what I’d like to highlight today is that, this is true even with your spiritual life. As the Spirit has been teaching me, I’m still learning to put my desires to death to the desires of the Father. Yes, even spiritual desires!
There are times when I desire for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I make a conscious effort and try to correct myself and say, “Lord bless me with that gift in your time and for your purpose.” Because many times, we have our own selfish desires for our own selfish purposes. When we end up having something we are not ready for, we subject ourselves to fall. I want God to honour me in His due time so that when it comes, I will also be prepared and humble enough to receive it.
I once heard my friend quote, A. W. Tozer, ‘God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work.’
Do not be discouraged if promotion does not immediately come your way.
Do not be discouraged if no one recognizes you immediately.
Do not be hurt if people don’t appreciate your ministry.
Do not sulk if all your dreams don’t come true instantly.
Hide yourself in God.
Something that will later be a blessing can be a curse, if we get it before time. – T.D. Jakes
Do not forget that God anointed David, for what was going to happen 14 years later. And after God anointed David to be the King, what followed him were insults, attacks and prejudice. Yet he was in the centre of the will of God. God was fully preparing him for his throne.
A strong example is an Absalom who forcefully grabbed his father David’s throne before his time, with it came pride and with the pride came his fall.
Proverbs 20:24 says, ‘A man’s steps are directed by the LORD.’ It’s interesting that those are the times that we attain our full spiritual maturity by going through the steps that God has ordained. Each of those steps are our experiences that make us stronger for where God is going to take us. Those steps are when we meet friends that help us reach where we have to reach. Those steps are places where we are molded to God’s own character. Why then try to catch the elevator?
Pray with me, Lord, keep me away from any promotion that is not from you. Help me to be patient for your time for my promotion. And when the promotion comes let my eyes not be on it but be on our promoter, Jesus.
Question: Do you face these temptations of taking the short cut to the God ordained steps? What is God teaching you through this?
