Extraordinary Living: A Lifestyle Worth Pursuing

Chapter Four: Hindrances to the calling When GOD’S calling is upon your life a lot of elements come throwing themselves at you some good and some bad. The bad ones can be identified as hindrances. Now there are different hindrances that seek to stop us from fulfilling what GOD the father has equipped us to do. Some of these are: 1-THE DEVIL’S INTERCEPTION, when you start doing something for GOD and somewhere in the process an event or happening takes place and forces you to put your plans about the work of GOD at hand aside for a while. 2-DIVERSION, this is when something not related to your assignment comes in and takes centre stage at the expense of the assignment GOD has given you. 3-PROCRASTINATION, this is when you postpone your assignment for another day, time or even another year. 4-DEPRESSION,this is when other issues about your life affect you negatively so much that you lack the zeal to do anything with enthusiasm ,including answering to GOD’S call on your life. 5-DOUBT, when you lack the faith needed to accomplish what GOD wants you to accomplish. You are not so sure if this is GOD or not. This is also caused by fear. 6-LOW SELF-ESTEEM, this is when you look at yourself ,your family background ,your education and material and spiritual achievements and conclude that they are not good enough for what GOD wants you to do. This is very effective when you compare yourself with others whom you think are better than you, and seem to be suitable for the job. 7-INTEMIDATION, this is when achievements of others seem to overshadow what you can achieve. You look at your work versus other peoples’ work and conclude that your work is insignificant therefore not worth pursuing at all. 8-LONELINESS, this is when you feel you have no support or partners to do your work. In such cases there seem to be no back-up service in your assignment. In some instances the devil blinds you so much that you won’t see the resources at your disposal ,all you see is your inabilities and limits and this will cause you to abandon ship,1 KINGS 19 vs. 9-10:AND HE CAME THITHER UNTO A CAVE,AND LODGED THERE,AND ,BEHOLD THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO HIM,AND HE SAID UNTO HIM,WHAT DOEST THOU HERE,ELIJAH?.AND HE SAID ,I HAVE BEEN VERY JEALOUS FOR THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS;FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVE FORSAKEN THY COVENANT,AND THOWN DOWN THINE ALTARS,AND SLAIN THY PROPHETS WITH THE SWORD ;AND I EVEN I ONLY,AM LEFT;AND THEY SEEK MY LIFE,TO TAKE IT AWAY. The prophet of GOD ,Elijah is so overwhelmed by the opposition that his previous successes are wiped off his mind and all he thinks of is his adversary and even the thought of the ability and potential of GOD to back him does not cross his mind .God had to intervene and strengthen him because there was still a lot be done by him (not anyone else).1 KINGS 19 vs18 :YET I HAVE LEFT ME SEVEN THOUSAND IN ISRAEL,ALL THE KNEES WHICH HAVE NOT BOWED UNTO BAAL,AND EVERY MOUTH WHICH HATH NOT KISSED HIM.GOD reveals to him that there are still more like him who are obedient and can answer to GOD’S call upon their lives. I am sure this was a morale booster for Elijah. “Whatever hindrances that may come our way, when we are doing what GOD has called us to do, GOD who started the good work in us will finish it, he is the beginning and the end. Let’s follow his instructions concerning the challenges at hand”. There are ways or answers to dealing with what the devil throws at us when we really set ourselves for the calling has for us. Our thought lives must be harnessed with the things of GOD. Normally what we think is what we end up doing, which is in order to be doing good we need to have good thoughts. PHILIPPIANS 2vs5: LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST. Apostle Paul looks at the life of Christ and concludes that it is because of what he thought that made him to do what he did and these deeds made him to accomplish his mission and purpose on earth. MATTHEW 4vs3-4:AND WHEN THE TEMPTER CAME TO HIM,HE SAID,IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD,COMMAND THAT THESE STONES BE MADE BREAD,BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID ,IT IS WRITTEN ,MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE ,BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. In this chapter our Lord Jesus Christ shows us the most powerful weapon the devil cannot withstand; the word of GOD. Jesus shows us how it’s done and does it the process .As people with a GODLY mission we need to fill ourselves with the word of GOD, it’s a weapon to crush any opposition from the devil. The devil tried to make Jesus abandon the mission or assignment or his calling, and he failed simply because Jesus was full of nothing but the word, he countered what the devil was saying with what was in his mind, the word of GOD, rightfully using and explaining it to his enemy (please note) not distorting it and confusing himself like the devil did. How then do we saturate ourselves with the word? For us to have the word we need to read and study the bible and seek understanding by the help of the Holy Spirit. For us to read and study the word, we need to set aside time for it, and in order to set aside time for it we need to organise ourselves well and prioritise our daily activities. “That which is of paramount importance to you, ranks high in your priorities”. NEHEMIAH CHAPTERS 1-6: Nehemiah is one good example of a person who gave himself to GOD and GOD showed himself to Israel through him. The rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem was a mammoth task, it needed divine intervention. During the process hindrances sprouted out, but Nehemiah pressed forward and ultimately what was once his vision became a reality. Working together with a team, they used their gifts, talents and education, work experience or career skills to do what GOD called them to do, their assignment. Whatever God has called you to do ,whether it’s to invent ,to preach, to sing, business leadership or charity work go for it all systems firing. GROUP DISCUSSIONS: -Can you share with others what you believe is your “calling” and explain why you think so, if possible give a practical example of the work you have been involved in. -What challenges are you facing right now in your pursuit of the will of GOD upon your life, and are your talents and skills supplementing your calling