TRAVEL LIGHT
"And He said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.'" - Luke 9:3
In the journey of life, to move unhindered, to go with speed and to be focused - one must be light as possible. Sometimes to the average mind, it will be an unreasonable risk to expose one self without an insurance or cover for the days that lies ahead. Taking nothing as Jesus instructed his disciples will appear as if they will have to be dependent on people for survival...but it is not. The man who has purpose before him will receive supply.
Sometimes, travelling light will entail casting all our burdens upon Him, travelling light will entail sacrifice, travelling light sometimes will be painful - but the gain is more. The man who leaves all the burdens will eventually depend solely on the power of God for survival and when it turns out so - the man would have learnt to become solely dependent on God.
Our families and friends may be the people we need to leave at the shore sometimes, Jesus told one prospective disciples to leave the dead for the dead, Elisha didn't even have the chance to kiss his family good bye, but yes he had to walk the distance with Elijah. No one loves to be stranded in any journey not to talk of the journey of life, but really that is not His intention.
Mrs Lot didn't take anything out of Sodom but really she wasn't travelling light all the same, she had on her mind, in fact a weight that all her possessions were behind her, she couldn't bear the thought of starting afresh or having to live without knowing where the next meal will come from - all these because she was obeying the voice, of course she looked back but never went back - she also couldn't proceed further. She became a sign post even unto all today.
HUMAN LOADS
"So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran." - Gen 12:4
It will do us a lot of good when we realise that it is not everyone that should be part of God's vision for our lives, if we keep them close, we will keep solving and resolving issues over and over again. We may sometimes feel we have a responsibility to some folks but we may really need to consider our vision again and see where they fit in.
Lot was a contention even to the household of Abraham, even though he was that little Lot, who was Abraham's nephew, his servants constantly had issues with that of Abraham and he had to be doing peace keeping instead of keeping focus. When Abraham decided to part ways with Lot, Lot was covetous even in choosing, he wanted the best even though it was never his idea to move out of Haran in the first place. Some folks will just be trouble from the word go, and it is better we settle it out with God before we bring anyone into His vision for our lives.
It was after Lot departed that God gave Abraham a clear vision of possession for the land and that was even including the place Lot settled. Some people will just block our vision, they won't understand the extent at which we want to go, but they want to be stakeholders. They could be childhood friends and all, but we must really consider this matter. It appears to me that Abraham had an issue with letting people go. He went to Egypt and of course that Hagar came with them, when Lot was in trouble he had to go and fight, some people just keeps slowing us down because they we assumed a responsibility bigger than us.
"Then they said to him, 'What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?' - for the sea was growing more tempestuous. And he said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me." - Jonah 1:11-12
Until some people are cast out of our boat we will be at the risk of sinking, though it will always be a tough decision but we must nonetheless separate ourselves from them. At times like that, it is hell the person may want to lead us to, and we must be wise enough to let those people go, stop allowing excess luggage into your life - it could sink you.
No man would admit that they are the cause of your predicaments, and you too should not go about pointing fingers, they may not be bad people - they just may not fit into God's plans for your life. Be discerning enough to identify these people and wisdom should guide you in letting them off. You should pray about it and get clarifications on how to go about it.
It is not a sentimental issue, it is not being fanatical or overzealous - it is just mere obedience to what God has asked you to do. It will be an uphill task for you when you have to always convince people about the direction God wants you to follow, as they may not have been dealt with the way God dealt with you. Be careful about those who come onboard with you in the journey of your vision - this is very vital.
BE LIGHT FOR SPEED
" 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." - Heb 12:1
If you have a weight problem physically, you will need more than endurance to run a race, this also apply for the spiritual race - we must try to be as light as possible so as to reach our destination in no distant time. The lighter we are, the faster we will run. A person on the track will not put on an Agbada to run - so also we must know that every assignment has a time frame and it is important to drop the weights aside.
Some weight for the spiritual man may not necessarily be sins, but could be a lack of discipline to let go of some things that are not expedient. The reason why some are still at the same spot in their spiritual life is because pleasures of the world appeal to them more than the chastisement of the Father. Sometimes they cherish the things God has given them more than the God who gave them those things. These are weights that will make people dwell on the mountain too long.
You could be struggling with anger, yours could be that you have not submitted to the total will of God for your life or you are not just accepting it at all, these will be enough weight to keep you on that spot. It will be necessary for me to point out to the believer that, the person who is on track with God is on a path of a preferred destination.
"Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." - 1Kings 18:46
Ever been in a car, you are stuck in traffic and you have an appointment to meet up with and time seems to be against you. At this point, if you use your legs you know you will be faster but because you cannot abandon your car you are stuck in the traffic and you may miss the appointment. It is at this point the believer should learn that it is not every device or possession that will aid our journey.
Ahab had a chariot to move with, but Elijah only moved by the power of God and he outran Ahab. This is not to imply in anyway that owning a car is bad, but a pointer to the fact that this same luxuries or possessions cannot guarantee our speed, in fact sometimes they are the weights that slows us down.
Many will not take a step until everything is sorted out, not knowing that these very things that they are waiting to be on ground are the main reasons they are where they are. Many would not answer the call till they have their masters degree, many will not go on mission until they have a car to ride - waiting is delay, you have placed a weight on yourself - and God be praised, only you can lay the weight aside.
DID YOU LACK ANYTHING?
"And He said to them, 'When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?' So they said, 'Nothing.'" - Luke 22:35
Most people who are great in their walk with God today or in any endeavour did not really possess anything substantial apart from the vision they had - yet their story today is that of abundance. For the fact that you didn't carry anything on this journey of purpose does not mean your needs will not be supplied - it is a test of your courage, it is a showing of your trust in the One who has possessed you with only the command and vision.
Another important thing that may be of note to us today is that, even if you carry the things you think you need now and set out on the journey, though it may slow you down, be rest assured that it will also be exhausted. I am sure that when the children of Israel left Egypt, they had few supplies for food, but when the journey of forty days became the journey of forty years - they had to learn to trust God for their supply.
There is no one who convincingly moves at God's instruction with little or nothing who doesn't get supplies from above. Elijah was just a man on errand but God saw to it that even though there was famine in the land, he, God's servant will not hunger - the raven had to supply.
"For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing." - Deut 2:7
Though it seems like the path is a path of wilderness and it seems nothing is available there, it may make more sense to move along with some supplies...the Lord wants you trust Him. Don't be afraid to set out, if He commanded the project, you can be sure He will be faithful with supplies for you to finish.
It is not in your standing at one point that supply is given, it is obedience before supply, it validates and proves your trust in God's ability. The man walking in obedience cannot be stranded, he won't even beg before his needs are met...the Lord Himself will provide.
CONCLUSION:
I know it has been said that to move fast one should walk alone, but to go far one should walk with someone... That is not God's standard, He Himself brings the people we need and He Himself will supply the needs. Just travel light.
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
In the journey of life, to move unhindered, to go with speed and to be focused - one must be light as possible. Sometimes to the average mind, it will be an unreasonable risk to expose one self without an insurance or cover for the days that lies ahead. Taking nothing as Jesus instructed his disciples will appear as if they will have to be dependent on people for survival...but it is not. The man who has purpose before him will receive supply.
Sometimes, travelling light will entail casting all our burdens upon Him, travelling light will entail sacrifice, travelling light sometimes will be painful - but the gain is more. The man who leaves all the burdens will eventually depend solely on the power of God for survival and when it turns out so - the man would have learnt to become solely dependent on God.
Our families and friends may be the people we need to leave at the shore sometimes, Jesus told one prospective disciples to leave the dead for the dead, Elisha didn't even have the chance to kiss his family good bye, but yes he had to walk the distance with Elijah. No one loves to be stranded in any journey not to talk of the journey of life, but really that is not His intention.
Mrs Lot didn't take anything out of Sodom but really she wasn't travelling light all the same, she had on her mind, in fact a weight that all her possessions were behind her, she couldn't bear the thought of starting afresh or having to live without knowing where the next meal will come from - all these because she was obeying the voice, of course she looked back but never went back - she also couldn't proceed further. She became a sign post even unto all today.
HUMAN LOADS
"So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran." - Gen 12:4
It will do us a lot of good when we realise that it is not everyone that should be part of God's vision for our lives, if we keep them close, we will keep solving and resolving issues over and over again. We may sometimes feel we have a responsibility to some folks but we may really need to consider our vision again and see where they fit in.
Lot was a contention even to the household of Abraham, even though he was that little Lot, who was Abraham's nephew, his servants constantly had issues with that of Abraham and he had to be doing peace keeping instead of keeping focus. When Abraham decided to part ways with Lot, Lot was covetous even in choosing, he wanted the best even though it was never his idea to move out of Haran in the first place. Some folks will just be trouble from the word go, and it is better we settle it out with God before we bring anyone into His vision for our lives.
It was after Lot departed that God gave Abraham a clear vision of possession for the land and that was even including the place Lot settled. Some people will just block our vision, they won't understand the extent at which we want to go, but they want to be stakeholders. They could be childhood friends and all, but we must really consider this matter. It appears to me that Abraham had an issue with letting people go. He went to Egypt and of course that Hagar came with them, when Lot was in trouble he had to go and fight, some people just keeps slowing us down because they we assumed a responsibility bigger than us.
"Then they said to him, 'What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?' - for the sea was growing more tempestuous. And he said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me." - Jonah 1:11-12
Until some people are cast out of our boat we will be at the risk of sinking, though it will always be a tough decision but we must nonetheless separate ourselves from them. At times like that, it is hell the person may want to lead us to, and we must be wise enough to let those people go, stop allowing excess luggage into your life - it could sink you.
No man would admit that they are the cause of your predicaments, and you too should not go about pointing fingers, they may not be bad people - they just may not fit into God's plans for your life. Be discerning enough to identify these people and wisdom should guide you in letting them off. You should pray about it and get clarifications on how to go about it.
It is not a sentimental issue, it is not being fanatical or overzealous - it is just mere obedience to what God has asked you to do. It will be an uphill task for you when you have to always convince people about the direction God wants you to follow, as they may not have been dealt with the way God dealt with you. Be careful about those who come onboard with you in the journey of your vision - this is very vital.
BE LIGHT FOR SPEED
" 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." - Heb 12:1
If you have a weight problem physically, you will need more than endurance to run a race, this also apply for the spiritual race - we must try to be as light as possible so as to reach our destination in no distant time. The lighter we are, the faster we will run. A person on the track will not put on an Agbada to run - so also we must know that every assignment has a time frame and it is important to drop the weights aside.
Some weight for the spiritual man may not necessarily be sins, but could be a lack of discipline to let go of some things that are not expedient. The reason why some are still at the same spot in their spiritual life is because pleasures of the world appeal to them more than the chastisement of the Father. Sometimes they cherish the things God has given them more than the God who gave them those things. These are weights that will make people dwell on the mountain too long.
You could be struggling with anger, yours could be that you have not submitted to the total will of God for your life or you are not just accepting it at all, these will be enough weight to keep you on that spot. It will be necessary for me to point out to the believer that, the person who is on track with God is on a path of a preferred destination.
"Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." - 1Kings 18:46
Ever been in a car, you are stuck in traffic and you have an appointment to meet up with and time seems to be against you. At this point, if you use your legs you know you will be faster but because you cannot abandon your car you are stuck in the traffic and you may miss the appointment. It is at this point the believer should learn that it is not every device or possession that will aid our journey.
Ahab had a chariot to move with, but Elijah only moved by the power of God and he outran Ahab. This is not to imply in anyway that owning a car is bad, but a pointer to the fact that this same luxuries or possessions cannot guarantee our speed, in fact sometimes they are the weights that slows us down.
Many will not take a step until everything is sorted out, not knowing that these very things that they are waiting to be on ground are the main reasons they are where they are. Many would not answer the call till they have their masters degree, many will not go on mission until they have a car to ride - waiting is delay, you have placed a weight on yourself - and God be praised, only you can lay the weight aside.
DID YOU LACK ANYTHING?
"And He said to them, 'When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?' So they said, 'Nothing.'" - Luke 22:35
Most people who are great in their walk with God today or in any endeavour did not really possess anything substantial apart from the vision they had - yet their story today is that of abundance. For the fact that you didn't carry anything on this journey of purpose does not mean your needs will not be supplied - it is a test of your courage, it is a showing of your trust in the One who has possessed you with only the command and vision.
Another important thing that may be of note to us today is that, even if you carry the things you think you need now and set out on the journey, though it may slow you down, be rest assured that it will also be exhausted. I am sure that when the children of Israel left Egypt, they had few supplies for food, but when the journey of forty days became the journey of forty years - they had to learn to trust God for their supply.
There is no one who convincingly moves at God's instruction with little or nothing who doesn't get supplies from above. Elijah was just a man on errand but God saw to it that even though there was famine in the land, he, God's servant will not hunger - the raven had to supply.
"For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing." - Deut 2:7
Though it seems like the path is a path of wilderness and it seems nothing is available there, it may make more sense to move along with some supplies...the Lord wants you trust Him. Don't be afraid to set out, if He commanded the project, you can be sure He will be faithful with supplies for you to finish.
It is not in your standing at one point that supply is given, it is obedience before supply, it validates and proves your trust in God's ability. The man walking in obedience cannot be stranded, he won't even beg before his needs are met...the Lord Himself will provide.
CONCLUSION:
I know it has been said that to move fast one should walk alone, but to go far one should walk with someone... That is not God's standard, He Himself brings the people we need and He Himself will supply the needs. Just travel light.
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
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