Whatever season you are in, refuse to be distracted. Keep your eyes on God, trust His process, and remember that He is still working even when you cannot see it.
As a Christian, you are in a spiritual walk with the Lord. And in your spiritual walk with the Lord, you will face both good and hard times alike. As a child of God, your hard times are as good as your good times because there is no real evil in it—it is actually for the glory of God. As recorded in the first two chapters of the Book of Job, we see a child of God facing hard times; the ignorant people around him assumed that he was being punished for his sins. Knowing that God was working on him, putting him through a test, Job remained positive and hopeful, knowing it was going to be only a brief stop on the way to his destination. Job did not sin against God; rather, he asserted the fact that there is a time for everything. He understood that God often allows some adverse situations so that He can take us to the next level because He loves us.
Indeed, just as God oftentimes grants in wrath, He also sometimes denies in love. If God would gratify all our desires, it would soon appear that we merely desire fame and authority without being willing to taste of Christ’s cup or have His baptism. No doubt, God loves us and will only give His children what is good for them. Joseph had to pass through the dry pit to slavery at Potiphar’s house and then to the prison and from the prison to the throne. These stopping intervals prepared him for the challenges ahead. Every successful teacher was once a student. We Christians enjoy the opportunity to be coaches to others.
When people of God adopt a lifestyle that is based on purpose, they enrich the lives of others by leaving positive imprints on them. When you are able to expand this philosophy to a wider vision, your purpose or vision will crystallize. People of God, if you focus only on making money, a large slice of life will pass you by because money is just a small slice of life. Money cannot give us joy, peace, comfort, or eternal life; only Jesus can. The blessings of the world enrich the body temporarily, but the blessings of Christ enrich the soul for eternity.
As Christians, we are commanded to follow these tiny steps of faith with patience in Christ Jesus, for there is no shortcut to spiritual maturity. When you are in haste to achieve something in life, you are bound to make costly mistakes that will pull you back, if not down. In order not to end up like the majority out there, who are merely wandering and unsure of their goals and dreams, you must set clear objectives. When your vision is clear, your life will have meaning. In order to live life to the fullest, you must have goals that reflect your purpose. When your purpose is in the forefront of your mind, nothing can affect it because it is a sacred place.
People of God, what is your mere stopping interval? Is it sickness, poverty, or disappointment? The way you handle it matters. In order to turn hard times into good times, you must always stay true to your purpose in life, come rain or shine. Why are stopping intervals important in the life of a Christian? It is because they help us discover where we have missed the mark to redirect our focus towards God’s will, to help us assess our progress, to take our proper position in Christ, and to prepare us for the challenges ahead. People of God, stay focused and refuse to be distracted, for those who bless God in their trials will be blessed by God through their trials.
Prayer: O Holy Spirit, help me to stay true to my purpose as You continue to give me the faith and patience to overcome every trial that is distracting me from running the heavenly race. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.