I have struggled with Effectual for a long time now, not because the time for the vision has lapsed but because the seasons have shifted and a lot more requires my attention. So, I have struggled. The truth is I am committed and regardless of the struggle, I will keep pushing until the tide turns or the moments are stacked in my favour again.
By far the greatest struggle is when my flesh cries out and asks me the question, ‘what is my reward in all these?’
Please don’t go christianese on me just yet. This is a very valid question if you will go far in what Heaven has called you to. So you can imagine when I say to my flesh; ‘all the people who are blessed by the work’ and flesh responds, ‘is that all?’ ouch!
Truly speaking though, will this be all? Isn’t there supposed to be an award, a tangible reward…? So I struggled some more.
However, as I prepared this morning to lead the Commanding Your Morning prayer call online, He drew my attention to a scripture I have always known but had forgotten for a while. He took me to Genesis 15, and the first verse opened with; ‘After these things, the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision saying, Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and they exceeding great reward’. Like water on raging fire, this doused my fear. I began to see how that what we all do matters. In the moments and in the seasons, God is your reward. When men acknowledge and when they don’t, God is your reward. Abram, despite what we can call a fantastic mountain top moment in Genesis 14, had his fears and thank God that He knows us well enough and is able to wade through all our fears and fluff to reach our hearts. So, for Abram that day and for me today, it was simple, God is our reward.
This edition is Moments & Now, our God’s Leading Lady is Ayodeji Megbope, of No Leftovers. I will not even attempt to tell her story but you will do well to read it for yourself. Suffice to say however, that our God is a God of moments and when the moment is yours and it is right, there is nothing He can’t do with you. Ayo is alive in her moment and today you need to be alive in yours too. One thing I am learning is these moments are not about the reward but about the capacity to obey the God who is our reward. Her story will bless you.
We have in this edition all of the usual as God has helped us put together and my conviction and confidence is that because we didn’t get here on our own strength, He will take us where we need to go and that includes you.
We are taking new writers and contributors and if you have the skills and will love to work with us please call or send a text to 08180625917. We look forward to welcoming you in the family.
And perhaps you struggle like I have done with something that God has given you to do, or maybe the question my flesh asks is the same one you are asking. I do think that if you think it through, to have God as our reward is off the charts. Nothing compares to knowing that God is your honour, recompense, advantage, achievement and reward. Absolutely nothing! Be encouraged, be consistent and one thing I know is all the others will come too. After all, our God is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love!
He is our Reward!
Blessings!