One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, “Take a servant with you and go look for the donkeys. 1 Samuel 9:3
So far in this series, we have discussed that life happens to all kinds of people, the benefits of having somebody or people to journey along with, and why pursuit is critical to accomplishing anything significant. Today, we’ll look at one of the triggers God often uses to align people with purpose – Missing things.
You may have come across the saying that your strength lies in the area(s) of your test. Similarly, I believe that those places where people tend to struggle, experience shortfalls or have delayed fulfillment, are pointers to their callings, capabilities, or graces. In other words, their ‘power plants’.
Let’s talk about Pops Ab for a moment. He was a father of none as far as men could see, but God saw and said he was the Father of many. Now, it took a while for the spiritual reality to manifest in the natural, but in the fullness of time, it happened. Isaac was born and he begat the tribes from which the nations are birthed. What shall we then say about Aunt Han who was long bullied and ridiculed for her infertility till she could no longer speak audibly? But when God turned it around, she testified:
Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. 1 Samuel 2:5
I want you to pause right now to pray and prophesy those words into your life: Wherever there’s been lack, there’s superabundance, where you were delinquent, there’s an endowment, and in or through your weaknesses, strength emerges. #hollaapraise #fulfilmentcomes #privatejetcometh 💃🙌🕺
So then we can be confident that when things are seemingly missing or misaligned, all things work together! For Saul, the donkeys had to stray so he could connect and make acquaintance with the most powerful figure of his time – who by the way, was Aunt Han’s baby, receive counsel about his present and future, do and be things that he never would have. Friend, are you getting this?
We’ll explore this further but for now please note that there is a greater purpose for your challenges than you know. The ‘missing donkey’ is only a ploy for your divine appointment and upliftment. I encourage you to praise, pray, and prophesy through this season – this too shall pass. You will testify! Your mouth will be enlarged over your enemies!! Your head will be lifted in honour!!! If you believe and receive this, #hollaapraise because #fulfilmentcomes 🙌🙌🙌
That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times (MSG).
For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory about to be revealed in us (YLT).
For I am certainly persuaded that the afflictions of this time, are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed upon us (BB). Romans 8:18
So Saul took one of the servants and travelled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys anywhere. 1 Samuel 9:4
Successful people are in constant quest and pursuit. Some are in search of opportunities, insights, and methods, while others are on the lookout for mentors, partners, and proteges. They engage in a cycle of continuous professional development – they never stop discovering or searching, little wonder they are always innovating and growing.
The above text shows that Saul took action after mobilizing his team. He realized that lost things are meant to be found much like the broken need be healed, or the ruined, restored. To emphasize the significance of pursuit, Jesus launched the A.S.K method during a coaching moment with the disciples. Here’s a breakdown of the method:
Ask (A): You won’t always be handed things on a platter. What you request or ask for is usually what you are given.
Seek (S): Making an effort or attempt at something automatically moves you from inactivity towards a journey of endless possibilities. Seekers are always finders; even when their expectations are seemingly unmet, that in itself is a learning.
Knock (K): Between you and your next level is a door. A knock indicates your readiness to be allowed entry, passage, or exit.
For many, their ‘deliverance’ or breakthrough is wrapped in their pursuit (ASK) and not just in a prayer meeting. I encourage you to proactively activate and facilitate your restoration. Do not leave things to chance, pursue! Pursuing is a recurring process – you may not find what you are after immediately, but you will, eventually.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
So, Saul took one of the servants and travelled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys anywhere. Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant, “Let’s go home. By now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!” But the servant said, “I’ve just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honour by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let’s go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.” 1 Samuel 9:4-6
There are some journeys you need not travel alone. Many projects require a team in the same way certain business ventures involve partners. No man is an island, we all need somebody. We need family, spouses, friends, colleagues, associates, acquaintances, sponsors, mentors, partners, and supporters, to aid on those occasions we appear a little short, vice versa.
I’m grateful that Saul heeded his Dad’s advice to take someone with him otherwise he may have discontinued the search and returned without any results. Imagine all the opportunities he would have missed had the servant not been with him?
There are 2 great lessons here:
Leaders do get discouraged. They are human and need support and encouragement every now and then. Be nice and love on them.
Leaders don’t always have the answers. Followers often extend their strong networks and mastermind the strategies their leaders execute. Never underestimate your ability to make a valuable contribution regardless of your position or location. You have something to offer!
You need folk with the ‘let’s go’ attitude in your life. People who won’t dessert you in your moments of despair. Individuals with a growth mindset who won’t stop at anything until you become the best version of yourself. I mean those who understand purpose and will continue to prod you towards its fulfilment. Men and women who can advise you on the right way to go. Persons of good repute.
I believe people are one of the greatest assets in life. They can make or break you so be careful how you select and treat those in your circle. #hollaapraise #fulfilmentcomes #people #networking #growthmindset #motivation #teamworking #collaboration #forming #storming #norming #performing #adjourning #leadership #followership #strategy #project #letsgo
There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, “Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys. 1 Samuel 9:1-3
Just as rain falls on the just and unjust, life happens to all kinds of people: wealthy and poor, influential and inconspicuous, handsome and unattractive, tall and short, etc. There are seasons or ‘one days’ in which assets are lost, a pandemic strikes, a partner strays, a child leaves, a loved one falls sick or dies. Usually, these are unexpected or unprecedented times that require a great deal of strength and courage to navigate.
I have no idea what may have strayed from or slipped through you, but you are not alone. There is good news:
Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13
For quite a while, there’s been ‘one thing’ I need to focus and deliver on to improve the quality of my life. Unintentionally, I’ve managed to run around it like Jericho without getting through it. While pondering it this morning, a passage of scripture came to mind:
1️⃣𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Focus is essential to successfully accomplishing projects/tasks. Don’t be a jack of all trades; if you struggle to multitask, prioritize and concentrate on one thing at a time. 2️⃣𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀/ 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: These are synonymous with the ‘definition of done’ and must be identified to clarify expectations, direction, and destination. For the Psalmist, it was “to dwell in the house, to behold God’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple”. 3️⃣𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲: Focus and goals need to be fuelled with passion to enable success. This passion often drives the plan of action which sets your goals in motion. 4️⃣𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: This is the process of actualizing your goals and the culmination of everything. ‘Seeking after’ implies that you are proactive and in pursuit – making things happen as opposed to waiting to respond to things after they happen.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: 1) Focus on and prioritize your ‘one thing’. 2) Commit to completing it within a specific time period and get to work. 3) Find an accountability partner to help assess your progress on your commitment. 4) Celebrate your success once done. 5) Testify: glorify God and encourage others too #fulfilmentcomes#hollaapraise#theonething
Instrument of Praise is a Music Ministry which operates on a national and international scale ministering physical, emotional and spiritual healing to the afflicted....
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