“God places us in obscure places and situations because we’re not ready yet. Our spiritual maintenance lights are on. Outside forces must be brought to bear to shape us into the kind of people who can handle the vision we’ve been given.”- Brian Jones
As Brian Jones continues Chapter 4 of Finding Favor, he underscores that there’s a good reason God sends you into obscurity. But, he adds, you’re not going to like it. Yet, it’s comforting to know that an answer exists. Courtesy of Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest), here’s the reason:
“God gives us the vision, then he takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. Every vision will be made real if we will have patience.”
Consequently, Pastor Jones notes, we need to honestly admit that it’s hard to:
- focus on what God wants if we depend on getting recognition from those around us to stay motivated
- rely on God when doors of opportunity open effortlessly by themselves
Furthermore, Brian states, worldly ambitions never drive, nor sustain, God-sized dreams. So what happens when you pray for God’s favor on your life and He blesses you with a dream, but you feel stuck in neutral, hang on. Because God’s placed you exactly where He wants you at the present moment.
However, as author Brene Brown argues in her book Daring Greatly, contemporary culture breeds within us a “fear of being ordinary.” And social media platforms only exacerbate the problem.
As a result, the Old Testament story of Joseph show us one of God’s greatest blessings. That blessing? – God favors us with not answering our prayer for success. That, in turn, frees us from the need for success altogether. And that only happens in the valley.
Today’s question: What indications do your spiritual maintenance lights give you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Effectively casting the limelight on him (the Lord)”
