It was about 13 years ago that he felt led to join himself to me for fathering. He was much younger then. Now, he has grown, gone through different seasons of life but still remained in following. He has proven his heart and loyalty through thick and thin, and I’ve seen him make tremendous progress in life and destiny.
Friend, there is greatness in following. While the world says, imitation is limitation, the scripture says that imitation is the secret to becoming (John 1:12, 1 Corinthians 11:1). God will always identify someone for you in the Kingdom that you need to follow so you can fulfil your God-given destiny. It is as we follow such people in the light of God and His word that we become what God has ordained for us (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
God is in need of Timothys today. Timothys are the extenders and extensions of God’s work on earth. One of the reasons the devil fights following or make a mockery of it is to truncate the program of God. God wants His move to be perpetuated from generation to generation (Psalms 48:13, 78:1-8). When there is gap in following, there would be gap in wisdom, grace, and glory; whether in the family, Church, organizations or the society at large
Following is not folly; it is wisdom in disguise. Don’t let others mock what God is using to make you (2 Kings 2:1-3). It is amazing to know that in all fields of endeavour there is the reality of following but when it comes to Church and Kingdom, people have an issue with it. A younger doctor follows the senior consultant doctor. In law, junior lawyers follow Senior Advocates, and even in trade and business, there is room for apprenticeship. This is what ensures continuity and excellence.
Trapped in everyone of us are potentials for leadership and greatness that would take the right following to unleash. Who would have thought that Timothy had an apostolic grace trapped in him if not for his following Paul? He entered Paul’s life as a normal, young errand boy, but following made a mighty bishop and apostle out of him (Acts 16:1-5, 1 Timothy 3:15). His destiny came to fruition as he came under the fathering Grace of Paul (Philippians 2:22).
“Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith…” (1 Timothy 1:2). Who is that person who can call you, “my own son in the faith?” Or are you just, “our brother, Apollos?” (1 Corinthians 16:12). Timothy exuded loyalty in the face of contradictions and distractions (2 Timothy 4:9-16). He showed us the importance of continuous fathering despite life’s success (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:14-15). Timothy served his father, served with his father and then served in his destiny. Where are the Timothys?
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria