An apprentice was sent by His master to repair some broken pipes in a rich man´s house. Always thinking that the master got serious benefits working in rich homes, he looked forward to those incentives. With such expectation, he enthusiastically went over to the house with the tools. Upon reaching there, he realized the cold environment he was working in. He was being shouted at when he asked for help locating some items, got frowned at when people passed by him as he worked and was even denied a greeting when he was being passed by. After hurriedly finishing his work, he went to the master and asked him how he could work in such an environment. He told him that he did not expect them to treat him differently, for he was treated in same manner whenever he worked there. However, to get the incentives, you need to persist in the harsh environment and get the work accomplished.
Christ tells us that He expects us to be treated harshly as we engage the world t carry out the assignment He has entrusted unto us. The world will not present its dearly held standards to us on a silver platter. As we engage with it to live out our purpose, we need to confront this harsh environment and still live out our purpose. From the time of John the Baptist unto now, the Kingdom has suffered violence, and the voile talks should take it by force.
Confronting the world does not require physical weapons, but rather spiritual weapons. This is what Paul says:
“We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NLT
The message is that the rejection, dissappointments and contentions you are facing on your journey to fulfilling your purpose is an indication that you are fighting a good fight of faith. Do not hide your light under a basket by conforming to the patterns of this world, but rather stand firm on the Word of God and in prayer, and fight your way to this end.
Prayer
Thank you Father for your word I have received today. Thank you for the grace that is available unto me. I pray that you will grant me the grace to stand steadfast for you until the end of time. This and many other blessings I ask in the name of Christ our Lord AMEN!!!
