A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts from Bob Gass Ministries)
Scripture for the Day (January 11, 2017)
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? (Nehemiah 6:3)
Success usually comes at the end of struggle; if it came easily, everybody would be experiencing it. When it comes to success, there are no shortcuts, reduced prices, or “special deals.” The value of anything is determined by the price you’re willing to pay for it. And when you truly value something, you won’t easily jeopardize it because you remember what it cost you.
I started working for the US Postal Service in 1966 as a clerk and a carrier. I saw so many things that needed to be changed and all the employees (including myself) spent an inordinate amount of time moaning and groaning about these things. One day I had this come to Jesus meeting with myself. I can complain about things until the cows come home or I can try to get in a position to make some changes. From that point forward, my life changed.
I started working my way up the ladder from Supervisor to Postal Inspector to Audit Team Leader for the Postal Inspection Service. I would take a team of 20-30 Inspectors into major facilities and work with local management to change and improve operations. Over a period of twelve years we were able to improve service and at the same time save millions of dollars.
After my wife and I entered the ministry I can recall many times when a young person would come up to us and say they wanted to do what we were doing. After you talked to them a few minutes you quickly found out that they wanted to be on stage and minister but they had no concept on what it took behind the scenes. Preaching is only a very small percentage of what we do. Work is a huge percentage and most people don’t want to pay the price.
What are you afraid of today? Failing? Your concern should be the opposite–regret that you didn’t try. Are you afraid of criticism? Face it, as you move upward in life and business certain people will resent your success; that’s true whether you’re arrogant or not. We all want to be liked, but at some point you’ve got to ask yourself, “How much am I willing to forfeit in order to be liked and accepted?”
Nehemiah, the builder of Jerusalem’s walls, said, “I am doing a great work, so…I cannot come down.” Any time you defer to the opinion of people instead of the will of God, you are “coming down.” Stay up on the wall! Keep laying bricks–or whatever God has called you to do. Advancement often brings isolation and criticism, and God may be grooming you right now for a new level of blessing by exposing you to both. Can you handle it? Not everybody can. But if you’re the kind of person who can’t sit in the bleachers and watch while others play the game–go for it! God will reward every step of faith you take and every sacrifice you make.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians
4:11-12)
