فصل 25

PART SIX

DEVELOP YOUR INNER LIFE

CHAPTER 25

Rising Higher

God’s plan for each of our lives is that we continually rise to new levels. But how high we go in life, and how much of God’s favor and blessings we experience, will be directly related to how well we follow His directions.

Throughout life, God will deal with us and bring areas to light where we need to improve. He often speaks to us through our conscience, or through a still, small voice. He knows the things that are holding us back. He knows our weaknesses, faults, and the inner secrets that we keep hidden. When He brings these matters to our attention, if we want continued success and blessings, we have to be willing to face the truth about ourselves and take the corrective measures God commands.

Many people don’t realize the importance of dealing with such issues. They remain stuck in a rut—a rut in their marriage, or in their finances, or in their careers. They casually sweep the dirt under the rug as if it doesn’t matter, hoping that nobody will notice. All the while, they ignore the still, small voice.

It is important to understand that everything God tells us is for our good. God never holds us back from His best. Nor does He purposely make our lives more difficult. Quite the contrary, your heavenly Father is waiting for your obedience so He can release more of His favor and blessing in your life.

Are there things in your life that God has been dealing with you about that you have been putting off? Maybe you keep procrastinating or ignoring His leading about getting your finances in order, being less judgmental, keeping strife out of your home, or making peace with somebody at work. Pay attention to what God is saying to you.

Perhaps God has been dealing with you about your close friends, the people you most frequently choose to be around. Maybe you know some of your friends are not a good influence and they are pulling you down, but you keep making excuses. “I don’t want to hurt their feelings. Besides, if I didn’t hang around them, I may not have any other friends.” But the fact is, if you will do what you know is right, God will give you new friends. Not only that, He’ll give you better friends—people who will lift you up rather than drag you down. Yes, you may go through a season of loneliness as you make the transition, but I would rather be lonely for a little while, knowing that I’m rising higher, knowing that I’m going to fulfill my destiny, than let people pollute me and keep me from being all God created me to be.

Anytime you obey, a blessing will follow. Why? Because you are sowing a seed to grow and rise higher. It may not happen overnight, but at some point, in some way, you will see God’s goodness in your life to a greater measure.

My question to you is: How high do you want to rise? Do you want to continue to increase? Do you want to see more of God’s blessings and favor? If so, the higher we go, the more disciplined we must be; the quicker we must obey. If we’re hanging around people who compromise and cheat on their spouses and have no integrity, we’re just asking for trouble.

You can do a lot in life and get away with it. You can run with the wrong crowd. You can treat people disrespectfully or be sloppy in your business affairs. But I’m talking about rising higher. I’m talking about being the very best that you can be.

For instance, perhaps God is dealing with you about your finances. Maybe you are living above your means, spending more than you can afford.

Too often, we made a purchase that we didn’t feel good about. We bought a house, a car, or a boat that we couldn’t afford or didn’t really need. The alarm was going off even as we signed the papers, but we ignored it, and now we’re in a financial bind.

It is much better to obey all along the way, and then you won’t have to deal with many of these issues. This is one of the most important principles you can ever learn. Follow peace; listen to your conscience; deal with the issues God brings to light. Don’t put it off. The longer you put it off, the more difficult it will be.

When King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he tried to cover it up. Making matters worse, he sent Bathsheba’s husband to the front lines of the battle and then ordered his general to pull back, resulting in certain death. For one full year, David pretended that everything was okay; he went on with life and business. No doubt, he thought, If I don’t deal with it, if I ignore it, it won’t bother me; it won’t affect me.

That year was one of the worst of David’s life. He was miserable. The Scripture says he was also weak; he grew sick physically and had all kinds of problems. That is what happens when we refuse to deal with things. We step out of God’s protection and favor. When we live with a guilty conscience, we don’t feel good about ourselves, so we take it out on other people. Many times, just like David, we’re weak, defeated, living in mediocrity. It’s because of the poison on the inside.

But, friend, none of us needs to live that way. Our God is a forgiving, merciful God. When you make a mistake, you don’t have to hide it. When you do wrong, don’t run away from God. Run to God.

After a year of living in denial, King David finally admitted his sin and his mistakes after a prophet confronted the king about his misdeeds. David said, “God, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Create in me a clean heart. Restore the joy of my salvation.” When David sincerely did that, God restored him. That’s how David got his joy, peace, and victory back, and although he had failed miserably, he went on to do great things.

Now think about it: David could have been stuck right there in defeat, in mediocrity for the rest of his life had he refused to deal with that issue. But he chose to change, and God helped him to do it.

Are there things in your life that you are refusing to deal with? When you ask for forgiveness, God can restore you. That’s when He’ll put you back on your best path. That’s when He’ll give you a new beginning.