See You at the Top

Many years ago I heard a motivational speaker named Zig Ziglar use the above title as he spoke to his audience in a seminar. As you read the Word, it actually is His desire that you increase and not decrease, that you be the head and not the tail, and that you not borrow but lend to many nations. We all like to hear verses like these. We like to memorize them and then claim them, however, before we can experience these verses, the Lord wants us first to obey Him (see Deut. 28:1-14).

The salvation from God is free, but in order to get the reward, you need to work. Nothing comes easy. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (Jam.1:2-4)

To be honest with you, I don’t really like that verse, however, testing always precedes promotion. Self promotion or human promotion cannot replace Divine promotion. If you humble yourself, God will promote you. Many times we put our faith in the process and not in the end result. God wants to take you where your ability can’t take you, and He can only use you through testing.

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.” (Prov.17:3) Faith is not faith until it’s tested. Purity is not purity until it’s tested. Tests are not fun, but when we look at where that test will take us, we will have a better perspective as we’re going through it. A test is not just an obstacle or a bump in the road — it will bring you to the next level.

In order to improve, you have to change and to become perfect, you would have to change often. Change before you have to. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.12:1-2)

Notice that both weight and sin can easily ensnare us. Sin will cause you to miss the mark. Weight can be heavy and slow you down. If Satan can’t make you sin, he will try to put weight on you.

See you at the top. Don’t let anything or anyone hinder, delay, or distract God’s vision in your life. He who has called you is faithful. Though He allows you to go through testings, He is always there with you, ready with His assistance.