We must guard and protect our mind.
We cannot afford to forget the things we are learning (and seeing) in this season of our lives.
God expects us to be a seat of justice, wisdom and influence in the sight of all people. But He wants to show us off in HIS time. Sometimes in our immaturity, we say or convey thoughts (in words) like: "I know that already; that's elementary stuff. I don't need to hear that; it's nothing new. I was taught that several years ago."
But just because we were taught something doesn't mean we learned it.
We forget the things (and stuff) we don't use or become proficient in. I woke up this morning fresh out of dream with these words imprinted on my mind:
Time buries stuff.
The enemy wants to bring spiritual amnesia into our life by rocking us to sleep in a spirit of complacency; by shielding our eyes from all the things God has specifically called (and told) us to do, with busyness, fear or frustration.
He wants to use wasted time, wasted chances and opportunities; difficult circumstances we are going through right now (all the hell that has broken loose) to discourage us from tapping into God's best life, perfect plan and will for our lives.
He wants to bury what God promised you; bury the dreams God put in your heart; bury the principles God taught you years ago, to get you to the place where you are no longer strategically using wisdom to get into your promised land, position, promotion or place.
That's why we need the Word to often reaffirm what God has spoken to us. That's why we need people that will challenge us to do something with the gifts, talents, dreams and lessons inside of us. We need someone to remind us that we have a promise (and dream) and this is not it (we are not living in it yet.)
Because:
- Time tries to bury untapped ideas, potential and valuable resources in our lives (and leadership.)
- Time tries to make us forget that we are still brilliant, gorgeous, talented, strong, favored, and blessed to reverse any situation and do exploits.
King Solomon wrote: "I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves. [But] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
You can spend the rest of your life using the same tool in the wrong industry, on the wrong project; doing the same thing, with the same unfulfilling result or effort--going nowhere.
Is that really ok with you?
Too often, the things we did in the beginning to start the business/career, win the heart of our soul mate, consummate the vows we made, we fail to do today.
We stopped praying. We stopped learning. We stopped working hard or trying to be qualified for the job. We stopped creating fresh and new (innovative) ideas. We stopped praying for contracts, favor and office (needs) to come. We stopped trying to stand out and impress the boss, our clients or spouse. We stopped singing to her. We stopped cooking his or her favorite meal. We stopped sending flowers or celebrating anniversaries monthly. We stopped the flow and still expected the anointing, authority (expertise) favor and blessing to come.
And everything stopped (working) with it.
Success doesn't work that way.
We must never forget what God has promised or taught us on our knees-while in the desert (on welfare, unemployed, in dire straits, etc.) because we will need it in the business, promotion or land He is taking us into.
In Jim Collins' new book, "Why the Mighty Fall", he asked a group of leadership students, "Is America renewing its greatness, or is America dangerously on the cusp of falling from great to good?"
A chief executive in attendance put this question in context with his company and asked, "How would you know? When you are at the top of the world, the most powerful nation on Earth, the most successful company in your industry, the best player in your game, your very power and success might cover up the fact that you're already on the path to decline. So, how would you know?"
As leaders we must not ignore the numbers.
If you see your clients, revenue, faith, favor, souls or influence in the industry or city diminish, ask yourself, WHY? You cannot accept the diagnosis and defeat of everyone else around you. Your authority was designed to consistently advance and increase on every level.
EVEN THE ONE YOU ARE ON.
My pastor and mentor recently said, "We have enough to do what God has called us to do. The anointing in you, right now, is great enough to release your miracle. So go in YOUR might. God has enough invested in you to change the neighborhood, workplace and city you are in."
Today, dare to step into something that you are afraid of.
God told Paul one night in a vision, "Have no fear, but speak and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no man shall assault you to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
God hasn't forsaken His plan for you to transform cities. Let's face it; you haven't forgotten what God burned in your heart to do, so do it. Forgive yourself for the passivity and rise again. Whatever you are afraid of doing, the moment you overcome and do it, God replaces the fear with an amazing and relentless faith.
