Mattheus van der Steen
‘Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ‘
– Hebrews 12:1
Before God created the world, He chose you. There is a word from God over your life that He already spoke over your life before He created the world.
There is a path in front of your life that God has already marked out. This path is called faith. Faith is not about what you know, it’s about trusting Him.
Sometimes you become so focused on the outcome of the promise, but you need to focus on the one who gives the promise.
STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN
When you step into the unknown you need to step with faith and hope, not with faith in your own abilities. God’s dream for you is so big and that’s why there is a gap between your ability and resources and God’s dream and resources. You can only fill in this gap with a spirit of faith.
We all have a race to run and the Bible outlines two conditions for this race. First, you are commanded to leave your wounds behind. You need to leave your past behind and you need to build faith in the future.
Secondly, you need to focus on Jesus who will bring you through the race. God already knows how the race is going to end, and that is more reason to trust Him.
God’s desire is that you will never doubt the promises He has for your life and for His church.
HONOR THE PROCESS
When a prophetic word is given, it is easy to get excited at the final outcome while skipping over the steps that will take you there. The process is not easy, but if you understand the purpose behind pain, reflection, and betrayal, you start to rejoice in Him.
When you are called and are anointed, it comes with a price. It’s the training field of daily life that you learn to trust God when things go in the opposite direction.
When Mary received the news that she would bring forth the Messiah, she was faced with a burden. She had to tell Joseph that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. In her culture, she was rejected. Not a lot of people responded well to the fact that she was pregnant.
You may be in a season where you don’t feel highly favored or comfortable. Just know that you will not defeat the enemy with your feelings and emotions but only by the word of God. You might be currently facing rejection, but this is leading you in God’s direction.
THE BIG PICTURE
There might be certain situations in your life that you don’t understand but God works for His good and for His glory.
Joseph did not grow up in a positive environment. He shared his dream with his brothers and later found himself at the bottom of the well. His brothers are cursing him and bruising him. He was sold as a slave and although he didn’t feel favored, He was highly favored.
Wherever Joseph went in Potiphar’s house, he found growth, provision, and breakthrough. He needed that situation to eventually become one of the most influential people on the planet.
You may have gone through a rejection recently, but that rejection was actually part of God’s direction for your life. If you want to be at the forefront of the move of God, then you have to understand that there is a purpose behind the pain, rejection, and betrayal.
When particular doors close in your life, you need to trust in God that He has a wonderful and hopeful future for you. You need to look at the bigger picture.
It’s common for people to celebrate their successes and breakthroughs, but what about celebrating when you face rejection and betrayal? It may not be easy but you ought to remember that God is catapulting you into your destiny and your calling.
When Joseph’s brothers finally saw him after all those years, they were so embarrassed by what they had done. But Joseph knew God’s ways and his process. He understood that God used his brothers to betray Him so that he could finally walk in his destiny.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
How do you respond when a door is being closed in your life? Are you celebrating?
Are there things in your life that are not aligned with what the Lord wants? Are you willing to trust the Lord even though you don’t understand what’s going on in your life right now?
Are you willing to pay the price? Are you willing to go the whole way?
