I
went to church Saturday night, and our Pastor's son, Scot was preaching. He
taught from the Old Testament of the bible; that the reason the Children
of Israel did not enter into the Promise Land sooner was because,
they saw themselves as "grasshoppers." Because of this, the Children
of Israel wandered in the desert for an additional 40 more years. Pastor
Scot used this story as analogy on why we experience a lack of success in
our own lives today. Maybe we also see ourselves as "grasshoppers,"
fear of success, lacking confidence and shy. Pastor Scot said, "but where
did this lack of confidence come from? God didn't make us that way! When you
were born, you came out of the womb demanding your rights--yelling and screaming
until you were fed!" So, where did these thoughts of inadequacies come
from that keeps us in a state of inertia, stagnant, going no where and in
circles? Could it be a negative word that we heard as a child that said, you'll
never amount to anything, you can't do that, your were born in the wrong family,
you have to settle, you're not talented enough, you're not pretty or handsome
enough. Maybe, you couldn't fit in, and so you always tried to be somebody
you weren't. By doing this, you forgot who you really were. You forgot about
the gifts, talents, abilities, and desires that were in you as a child. At
birth you were given a candle to give light to the world. However, the negativity
and cares from this world have choked that candle to where the light has almost
gone out. You find yourself just getting by, in a rut and going no where--just
existing. You're lack of confidence causes you to choose an occupation that
just gets you by. But God didn't create you that way. He made you to be bold,
determined, motivated to achieve. Pastor Scot held up a $100 dollar bill and
asked, "how many of you would like to have this $100 bill?" Of course
many lifted their hands. Pastor Scot then crumbled it up, threw it to the
floor, stepped on it, kicked it, and called it names. He then picked the $100
bill up and asked, "O. K. who would like to have this $100 bill now?"
Amazingly, the same people still raised their hand. You see, no matter what
you have gone through in life. No matter what thoughts of inadequacies have
come your way. God still sees value in you. If God sees value in us; then
we should see value in ourselves. We need to change our thoughts. We are not
"grasshoppers." In St. John's Gospel Chapter 16 verse 33, God says,
in the world you will have negativity, problems, discouragement. However,
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. And because, I live and reign
in you. The power to succeed and to overcome the negativity of the world is
also in you. So, BE STRONG, STAND UP, BE COURAGEOUS, AND PURSUE YOUR DREAMS!
