“Raised us up together . . in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 NKJV
“Wise people learn from mistakes, theirs and others’.”
My thoughts today urge you to “reach higher.”
It is a fact of life; if you are going in the wrong direction you are going to arrive at the wrong destination, unless you realize your mistake in time and change your direction. Some people just don’t seem to learn from mistakes. The Bible describes a time when, “Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Judges 21:25 NLT. That is not a good way to live. It becomes easy to believe that wrong is right, down is up, and mediocre is good enough.
Some people follow the crowd, but is it the right crowd? Some insist on charting their own course, stubbornly and independently choosing their way, but is it the right way? “Every way of a man is right in His own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.“ Proverbs 21:2 NKJV. Look around; is this where you meant to be and who you meant to have alongside?
It is sad that a recurring phrase in Samson’s story had to be, “Samson went down . . to Timnah . . to Ashkelon” Judges 14:1/19. In the context, this expression may very well be a geographical reference, but it can also suggest a direction and action that lessens and diminishes the person doing so. The expression is often used to describe a person whose behavior “lowers them in others’ eyes.” You have seen it happen on the evening news in the broken trust and personal scandals of prominent leaders in government, business, entertainment, churches, and ordinary people – esteem lost, opportunity missed, and years wasted. Don’t let it happen to you; reach higher!
Samson had many warnings and chances, but he ignored them and continued his way until, “He did not know the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him.” Judges 16:20 NKJV. That was tragic and such a waste. Yes, Samson’s story mercifully ends in grace and restoration (Judges 16:23-30), but there were years and tears that could not be undone. When God’s blessing is not upon what you are doing and God’s presence is not with you, it’s time to do differently, and do so immediately. Wise people learn from mistakes, theirs and others’.
Let your attitude be that of Nehemiah who had returned from the Persian royal court to the ruins of Jerusalem to rebuild and restore. When the enemies of his task – “Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the rest of our enemies” – tried to bring this leader down to their level, he responded, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3 NKJV.
Know your identity in Christ; stay true to what He has called you to be and do; do not move away from your Godly calling and commitments. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 NKJV. Who you live to please determines how you live. Here’s where you belong: “God has raised us up together . . in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 NKJV. Reach higher!
My prayer for you today is: hold yourself to high standards – God’s standards.