I heard the story of an evangelist who went to measure the tent of another famous evangelist with massive crowds at his meetings. His plan was to outdo the famous evangelist, so he wanted to build something bigger. What he failed to realise is that it was beyond effort. He struggled in ministry until he died shortly after.
Friend, you need to realise that life is beyond efforts (Zechariah 4:6). Don’t try to do by effort what someone is doing by grace. Don’t try to spend your salary on the same luxury that others are using their dividends or bonuses to fund. One secret of frustration in life is to compete with a man whose life is powered by grace (Hebrews 11:29).
You cannot outdo a man who’s walking and working by grace (John 3:26-31). If you try it, you may die. Sometimes, life is not about applying more efforts. It is by discovering your area of grace and working from there. Effort is only profitable and beautiful when it is flowing from grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). You must not labour without grace.
Learn to recognise grace when you see one at work and partner with it (Numbers 10:29). Rather than competing with grace, you need to connect with it. Rather than trying to outdo a man of grace, you need to connect with him. The friends of Peter partnered with him when he encountered the multitude of fishes (Luke 5:6-7).
You don’t have to be a wise man to have the result of the wise (Proverbs 13:20). Simply connect. You don’t have to be a called man to enjoy the covenant and blessings of the calling. Lot connected with Abraham and what’s working with Abraham worked with and for Lot (Genesis 13:1-5). He suffered loss when he disconnected.
Life is beyond efforts. There are some things you would never get by working for them (Psalm 44:1-3). No matter how Joseph or Esther tried, they would never find their way into the palace without grace. It was beyond their effort. You need to study, acquire skills, save, meet people, etc. But in all, give room for the grace of God in your life (Ecclesiastes 9:10-11).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria