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Sometimes when you are here, you think things may be nicer out there, and when you are out there, you think it may be better here.
Many of the times we learn too late and the hard way that dreams don’t always fulfill. This is because for many of us the grass always seems greener on the other side. So while we are here, we are looking there; only to shift there and realize that dreams don’t always fulfill.
Discussions
The prodigal son is a typical example of this truth. While he lived in his father’s house, he felt that life could be more adventurous and exciting on the other side of town. He left home and not many days afterwards, he realized that a story is always nicer when it is being told than when you are actually living it out. He came to his father and asked for the things that falls to him. While in his father’s house, he lived as a prince, when he left, he lived a riotous life and soon became a labourer.
I pray for you that as you are planted in a good church like the HighCity Church, you shall stay and be loyal to the cause of God that is being championed here. Inasmuch as I believe there is no harm in trying, I believe that there is no need to step out of your father’s house in search of any greener pastures. I pray that you will stay and focus on staying.
The rich young ruler with a bumper harvest is another classic example. He had a dream to pull down his barns and build a bigger one and take life easy; it was that very night that God demanded his life. Godliness with contentment is great gain, I pray that each of us will live a fruitful and fulfilling life with contentment.
There is an English adage that says, a bird in hand is worth a two in the bush. Be content with working in your father’s house, and in His vineyard. Don’t allow the prospects and promise of a better life to decieve you to seek a better life elsewhere. So, if you really want to be faithful with your father’s business, then you must do the following;
1. Make the Lord Your shepherd:
Psalm 23 teaches that if we make the Lord our shepherd, then none of us will lack or want. He will make us to lie down in green pastures, restore our souls, lead us beside stilled waters, lead us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He will set a table before us in the presence of our enemies; comfort us with His presence, rod and staff even through the valley of the shadow death; He will anoint us with His oil, and our cups shall run over. He will not suffer our feet to be moved. He that watches over us will neither sleep nor slumber.
2. Be planted in the House of the Lord:
The Bible tells us that, “they that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the almighty” (Psalm 92:11-14). We must not run after wealth and riches and fame. As we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, anything the world is looking for shall be added to us.
3. Delight yourself in the law of the Lord:
Psalm 1 exhorts us not to sit, stand or walk with people of divergent views. They will influence you adversely. Don’t sit in the seat of the scornful, the wicked or the ungodly. The Bible says blessed is the man that doesn’t sit in the seat of the scornful, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor walk in the counsel of the ungodly, but his delight is in the law of the Lord. That man is like a tree planted by the sides of the river, he shall bring forth his fruits in due season.
4. Dont consent to the enticement of sinners:
Proverbs 1:10-16 teaches that, “if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.” Be smart, the grass may look greener on the other side but don’t be enticed.
5. Finally, seek first the kingdom of God:
Matthew 6:33 teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things shall be added unto us. All that the younger son needed to seek was the kingdom and righteousness of God. As we pursue kingdom interest, all other things shall be added to us.
Benediction
I pray that you shall escape the trap of seeking for a better and wild life outside where God has planted you; whether it is marriage, relationship, career, ministry, family, etc. Wherever the Lord has planted you is the place for you. The Lord will keep and protect you. You will not be enticed by evil men. You will dwell where the Lord has planted you. You are a child of God and you will not miss the way. Many of those trying to entice you today would not have accepted you yesterday. They like you today because, someone has prepared you.
Be blessed; I love you!
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Amen.