Memorise:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, Philippians 3:13
Climbing new heights in your assignment will require a
new level of diligence. When you ask God to enlarge your coast, you are
inviting “trouble” because the bigger the church or assignment, the harder you
work. When we were a smaller church, I could sit down with some of my children
and we would eat, drink, gist and enjoy ourselves. But now, I may see them once
in three years and our exchange of pleasantries normally goes thus: “Long time,
no see” and the reply would be: “Is that how it is now, Daddy?” similarly,
years ago, I used to attend Sunday service at our Ebute Metta (Lagos)
headquarters. I recall once that I was there for 16 Sundays while taking a
series, but now, if they see me once a month, they will rejoice. If you truly
desire the next level in ministry, you must be prepared to work. You must put
aside past achievements and be ready to take no more volume of work and welcome
fresh assignments like Paul. This is work and welcome fresh assignment like
Paul. This is why he said:
“Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”
Philippians 3:13
It is ironic that what is pegging the promotion of
some people is what they have already accomplished. If you meet them, they will
tell you to go and check their track record. Ask them, ‘Is there any present
testimony?’ The answer is ‘No, but in the past, I achieved this or that’. It is
good to give yourself that you have not started. While most people were envious
of Paul, and some were wishing they could do a fraction of what he did, he was
saying he had no record of pass achievements, as his major concern was what he
could achieve now. On the other hand, some people who want to move on to higher
levels of God in ministry, lack the capacity to cope with the assignment. If
you really want to go up, you will prepare yourself in many ways. You will
acquire more education; attend more seminars, workshops and trainings to equip
you more. You will find out better, cheaper and faster ways of doing what you
do. Are you truly ready for something higher?
Action
Point
Identity
areas where you could improve your capacity to take on greater responsibilities
and work on it.
