-Strength for Today- "Even in the Midst of Criticism, We’ve been Called to Pursue Greatness!" - Mark 10:42-45.
If you’re going to pursue greatness for the Lord, you’re going to have to understand that not everyone is going to cheer you on. I’d love to tell you that your:
· Family, or your
· Friends
Are there with you to celebrate with you, as you face challenges, but that’s not necessarily the case. Even in the case of Jesus, the Bible says, “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not,” - John
1:11. Matter of fact, some people simply can’t handle your success. And as your defining moment becomes relevant, someone will get jealous and start finding fault! So don’t be surprised if a relative or even a friend will try:
· Belittling or
· Discrediting
God’s planned purpose for your life. Your defining moment isn’t about making that band of people around you happy, because the moment you do, the enemy will see to it that you’ll lose sight of what God has placed in your heart. Just remember that your destiny is too great to be distracted by people who’re never going to affirm you.
Now what I’m sharing with you, isn’t something to be taken personal. Because what you’re experiencing isn’t about you, even though you might be standing in the mist of:
· Brokenness,
· Inability, and
· Inadequacy.
Because on this “stage” is when the “stretch out arm of God,” through the “strength of Christ” will comes to your rescue. So don’t miss that point! You can look at the list of things that brought assurance to the apostle Paul in his pursuit for greatness when he said:
· I am content when I lose,
· I am content when I am weak,
· I am content with insults,
· I am content when I'm slandered,
· I am content in distresses,
· I am content with persecutions,
· I am content with difficulties and pressures
That’re so tight I can hardly turn around. Why? "for when I am weak, then am I strong” – 2 Corinthians 12: 10b. So shake off that satanic clutter, and:
· Run your race, and
· Be great anyway!
Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD