Recently, in church, we had some boxes wrapped to beautify the place. When my daughter saw them, she asked; “Daddy, who brought those gifts to church? Is it the three wise men?” I responded; “No, they are not gifts; they are for decoration.” Her mum gently interrupted; “They are gifts, God’s gifts to us.” My wife’s response got me thinking.
Friend, how do you see God’s gifts to you? Are they mere decorations or gifts to be treasured and maximized (Proverbs 17:8)? What you see matters? How you see what you see also matters. You cannot relate with people and life better than what and how you see. The greatest blessing that God can give a man is the blessing of sight (Proverbs 29:13).
What do you see? How do you see? There are amazing people around you, but if your revelation of them is wrong, you would not be able to maximize them (Mark 8:22-25). How do you see your spouse? As an asset or a liability? Husband, how do you see your wife? As a sex object or as a woman to be loved, cared for, and helped to fulfil her destiny (1 Peter 3:7)? Parents, how do you see your children? As a burden or a blessing (Psalms 127:3-5)?
When your perspective changes, your realities will change (Jeremiah 1:11-12). How do you see your current job? As a necessary burden or as an opportunity for career advancement? I often tell folks in church that there are jobs that may look small, but what is in them is massive. Don’t get on a job with no future, and don’t lose the future by looking down on a job. Let God open your eyes (Isaiah 65:8).
How do you see your man of God? As a needy man or as a needed man (2 Kings 4:9)? Do you see him as a carpenter or as one who has been sent by God to unlock your destiny (Mark 6:1-6)? You cannot receive from a man of God more than your estimation of him (2 Corinthians 5:16). This is why the five-fold ministry offices are called gifts. They are to be valued if they would deliver value to you (Ephesians 4:8-11).
Learn to differentiate between decoration and destiny. Learn to differentiate between the prophetic and the casual. Sometimes, the prophetic comes so simple and causal that it would take discernment to benefit from it (Genesis 18:1-10, Hebrews 13:2). If Jesus were to physically walk around some people’s neighbourhood today, they won’t still recognise him (John 1:10-12). From today, learn to see people and things the right way, and you will unlock divine possibilities. Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria