Positioning yourself for the next level (5)

Text: Luke 8:40 reads thus: “So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him,” (Luke 8:40 NKJV).

The multitude was eagerly waiting for the arrival of Jesus, but only a few had prepared themselves to receive blessings from Him. One of those who positioned herself was the woman with the flow of blood. She positioned herself by her faith. While the multitude pressed in on Jesus, she decided to touch Jesus’ garment by faith.

The multitude is a mixed crowd with different motives. Some were there simply to see Jesus. Others were there to carry tales of Jesus’ miracles. Another group was there to eat food to their satisfaction, but this woman stood out from the crowd due to her faith. Her only motive was to connect with Jesus, so as, to receive her healing. So, while others in the crowd thronged around Jesus, she reached out her hand and touched His garment. Immediately, Jesus stopped and sensed that power had gone out of Him; He said: “Somebody touched me.”

We position ourselves for the next level when we take deliberate steps to acquire requisite skills and competence. The capacity we bring to a competitive world makes us attractive and competitive. The skills we have prepare us for the next level. Proverbs 22:29 reads: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men,” (ESV).

Hard work and industriousness prepare us for the next level. Some Christians are sloppy and lazy expecting miracles to happen when they should work. That is wishful thinking. God rewards hard work and role modelled hard work during creation. He worked for six days and rested for one day.

Paul unambiguously taught about hard work. He said those who would not work should not eat. Titus 3:14 says: “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives,” (NIV).

Paul was a hard worker and encouraged believers in Thessalonians to emulate him by working hard; “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat…’” (2Thessalonians 3:7-13).

No matter what field of endeavour we find ourselves, perseverance is needed to move to the next level. Human development has always advanced through the perseverance and selfless efforts of researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and those who sacrifice to extend the frontiers of their chosen fields.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought out the resilience of scientists and medical personnel whose combined efforts helped to find a lasting solution to the pandemic. But for those scientists and medical staff millions would have died. Unless we learn to persevere we shall be stuck and never move to the next level.

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