We live in a world where distractions pop up every now and then. Therefore, we need to be disciplined, focused and committed to actualizing our dreams. An athlete that is preparing to win a race must make sacrifices to ensure all-round fitness; if not, surviving the race and reaching the finish line is uncertain. Elisha Shaphat of old is a classic example to learn from when it comes to the pursuit of passion. As if he overheard God say that he will replace Elijah Savah as the prophet of Israel. He didn’t care to say goodbye to his family and without hesitating, he even sacrificed his means of livelihood to follow and learn from Elijah. Little wonder after he passed on, his bones could raise the dead because of the magnitude of his anointing (See 1st Kings 19:19-21; 2nd Kings 13:21).
Jesus Christ instructed Christian believers to follow Him with the assurance that He will make them fit to advance the interest of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 4:19). God is interested in redeeming man from disobedience, rebellion against Him and satanic oppression. Therefore, the Kingdom of God requires believers who are ready to serve with all amount of zeal and unshakable faith. It is very clear that Jesus Christ has not promised any believer a smooth pilgrimage in the ‘make’ process as this can be likened to refining gold. With this in mind, He warned a certain man who desired to follow Him but opted to first bid farewell to his family that: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
I want to deviate from the ‘survival of the fittest’ concept in the Darwinian theory of evolution that animals and plants suited to the conditions they live in are more likely to stay alive and produce other animals and plants than those that are not suited as well as the belief that only the people with a strong desire to succeed and the ability to change as conditions change will achieve success. This is because in the Kingdom of God, believers survive by God’s grace and triumph by faith. Therefore, believers must not look back but look unto Jesus Christ, Who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Looking unto Jesus Christ while plowing (working in God’s service) helps us to avoid distractions from competing issues of life and divided attention. Jesus Christ, by His Spirit, engraces believers to overcome the challenges of life and makes them fit – of a suitable quality and standard to meet the requirements to represent God’s purposes on earth.
The high calling to follow Jesus and to be with Him in Heaven is so wonderful that we should focus our whole hearts, minds, strengths, and souls on being faithful. The Apostle Paul said, “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)
Remember that the first requirement to be fit for God’s Kingdom is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are yet to have a relationship with God, say this prayer of salvation: Dear Jesus Christ, come into my heart. I believe that You came, died and rose again to save me. I confess that You are my personal Lord and Savior and I declare that I am born again. Help me to finish well in Your Kingdom. Amen!
By Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 