One of the greatest joys and highest honors I have is being able to travel and speak. I’ll never forget the first time I got to preach at a Gospel camp for youth. It was the summer of 2007 in Upstate NY. My pastor was invited as the main speaker, and I accompanied him to help in anyway I could. To my surprise (and that youth ministry’s dismay) he said he wanted me to preach at couple of the main sessions. It was truly humbling, and the beginning of what God would do in the years to come.
Fast forward to this past summer, and I received an invitation to speak at a youth conference out of the blue. The opportunity came because of what happened almost ten years ago at that very first camp. I hadn’t really stayed in touch with anyone from there, and I don’t remember what I preached either (and probably for the better!). Not long after that, another invitation came because I helped a high school’s Christian club years earlier as well. Within a matter of days, invitations to speak came that could be traced back to those moments I chose to be steadfast and to serve without an agenda.
God’s 'suddenlies' are always predicated by perseverance. Click To Tweet
Being faithful and available over the LONG HAUL has opened more doors than networking and self-promoting. Faithfulness might seem painful in the moment, but it always comes with greater returns when you don’t quit. If you’re looking for quick breakthroughs and doors opening suddenly, this isn’t for you. But newsflash, there are no such things as quick breakthroughs and sudden open doors! God’s ‘suddenlies’ are always predicated by perseverance. Now I’m not against networking or connecting per se, but I believe in the culture where promoting yourself is normal, it’s being committed and consistent that will set you apart. In an age of instant, faithfulness for decades isn’t sexy. But bountiful harvest is the product of decades and years. Getting your name known and meeting people might bring you to the door, but only faithfulness will open it. And once the door is open, it’s character that will keep you there.
Being committed and consistent will set you apart. Click To Tweet
In recent years I’ve met so many amazing people who are gifted and anointed, but it’s the ones who are faithful that God will use the most powerfully. In those moments you feel overlooked or hidden, lean into sonship. Be a son. Be a daughter. Trust His timing and know that He will bring you up at the right time. Each time we submit to God and trust Him, we are learning the priceless gift of humility. Humility is what sustains the favor of the Lord on your life. And that favor at the right time will always lead you to your destiny. Pastor Bill Johnson says this, “Whatever you gain through self-promotion you’ll have to sustain through self-promotion. When our promotion comes from God, He sustains it.” Simply put, His favor + your faithfulness = open doors. That’s the key that opens doors!
Humility is what sustains the favor of the Lord on your life. Click To Tweet
No matter what delays, trials, tests, disappointments come, keep fighting to be faithful. As it says in Scripture, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10, NLT). For the last 15 years, I’ve just served others and said “yes” to God with whatever He brought my way. Looking back I can say that’s one of the reasons for the open doors today. God brings all things full circle to bring promotion. Serving people years ago without any agenda has yielded opportunities today that I would never be able to make happen any other way. It’s true that when you’re faithful with little, He entrusts you with much. So to all of you out there, be true to your calling. Keep sowing. Keep watering. Keep being faithful and steadfast for YEARS & DECADES. In due time, God will surely bring the growth and increase. Amen!
God brings all things full circle to bring promotion. Click To Tweet