My spiritual father asked me a very simple question yesterday. He said “do you want to be great?”

Surprisingly enough, as simple as the question seems, I couldn’t answer it. As I began to really think about it, I figured that contrary to the automatic response anyone would give, I didn’t want to be great. Lol. Yes, I imagine great things but still, in my heart of hearts, I just want to be in the background, love God, have plenty clothes, eat well, have lots of data to binge watch episodes of AGT and BGT and radiate the love of God.

I didn’t give him an answer but he already knew what that meant so he opened Isaiah 60 and asked me to read 1-3 and explain to him. I think the first thing a Christian should understand when they receive the life of Christ is that they’ve been called into a life of greatness, a life of exploits, a life that is in sharp contrast with mediocrity and most importantly, a life of service.

Before he asked the question, he was asking me why I wasn’t doing some things I was supposed to be doing and of course I was giving excuses. I told him how much I love to be in the background. He now said “you don’t want to be seen. You don’t want to be known”. I couldn’t disagree with that. It’s the truth. If you know me well, you’d have heard me say I don’t want to be famous at least once.

But Matthew 5 tells us we’re the light of the world and you don’t light a candle and keep it under a bushel. You place it where it can be seen. We’re not supposed to shine because we want to show off. We’re shining to illuminate the dark and bring more people into the light. There are people that may never see the light if we don’t shine it. Not shining is not being humble, it’s being selfish.

I say I don’t know what is wrong with me because I know the things I’m supposed to do but I don’t do them. I’ve walked away from so many things especially the ones that require me to step outside of myself and be known to people. I convince myself that it’s not for me. I just want to work in the background. (Acts 10 vs 38) Jesus went about doing good but here I am, praying good. (Leemao). Love is a verb. Faith is an action word too. So if I’m not actively expressing what I am and what I believe, I’m a sham.

I started writing this post on the 5th of October, today is 6th and I’ve experienced a mindset shift. Now, I am going in the authority/power/might and strength of the one that has sent me. Greatness is my destiny and I will fulfill it greatly. I will fulfill all that has been said and written of me. I will make God proud because what better thing can I use this gift of life for?

I have learned that my desire to hide in one corner is fleshy. It’s the devil using my complacency and love for my comfort zone to delay and seduce me. Please tell the bastard his cover has been blown. Now, I meuveee. Not by my strength but by the Spirit of my father whose will I submit myself to. I arise and I shine. I remember mentioning to God that sometimes I doubt and I don’t trust myself to not make mistakes and he referred me to the life of David. He said study the life of David. Then this Jon Bellion’s maybe I don’t know song came to mind.

If I knew tomorrow, I wouldn’t need faith.

If I never failed, I wouldn’t need grace or mercy.

If I knew all about him, he wouldn’t be God.

So maybe I’m indeed not good enough but in my not being good enough, I’m enough and perfect.

So, in our walk with God, we have the Holy Spirit, we have goodness and mercy, we have grace and favour, we have love and the blood of Jesus. These are systems God has put in place to help us and make up for our weaknesses. So, don’t call yourself small when God has called you great. Stop it. Don’t insult the investment and graces of God upon your life.

Jesus didn’t tell God “oh! Father, I’m not much of a people person, let me just be one of the angels” when God asked him to sit at his right hand. Don’t just have faith in the dealings of God with you. Have faith in the purpose of God for you. Believe that he won’t give you what you can’t handle. Don’t be like Saul the insecure king that never really believed he was king. Be like David the greatest king of Isreal who waxed greater and greater not only because God was with him but because he KNEW and BELIEVED that God was with him. So even if you’re currently not looking like a chief and God calls you a king, say yes Lord and trust him.

Before you leave, please confess these words with me: I am great. I receive the grace to be all that God says I am. I abound in favor, mercy, the gifts of men and all I need to fulfill destiny. I trust God. My heart is kept in the Lord. I go in the authority and power of the one that has sent me. I arise and I shine. My life pleases and brings glory to God. Amen.

Lastly: shine baby, shine.