When Apostle Paul said this to the Ephesian church, he was speaking from a spiritual-fatherly perspective. He told them to obey their shepherds in the Lord. But when it came to the biological parents, he said they should honour them (Ephesians 6:2). Why? Because Paul knew not all biological parents are also spiritual parents to their children.
In Proverbs 20:4, Solomon tells us something interesting about lazy people. He says if you see someone refusing to plow his work environment because it’s winter, that person is a lazy man. So whether you’re in lack, debt, or enjoying riches, you must be determined to work.
There is no self-discipline without a clear vision. Why? Because it’s the vision that will help you determine how to use your time, energy, money and other resources. Without it, you’ll live a loose life.
A servant is never greater than his master. And since you are in Christ, you’re a servant of God. That means you’ll never be greater than Jesus. Hence, you must be intentional about following Him in all your ways.
Jesus likened His relationship with God’s people to a shepherd and sheep. That means, He being the shepherd, is responsible for guiding us through His voice, and providing for our needs, even if it involves dying for us (the sheep). And yes, He did it because He knew we needed salvation, even when we’ve not yet asked Him.
If you have the opportunity to be around a visionary leader, seek to understand his vision before demanding so much of his time. Once you apprehend what God is building through him, you’ll love being his life companion in his work. Stay under His leadership as long as he leads you to Jesus.
Since Paul said in Romans 12:8 that “… if is to lead, do it diligently,” it means he understood that it takes diligence to lead God’s people. It takes a lot of work to bring people on board to follow one vision through discipline. Learn to pray for your leaders.
There’s only one thing that can help you to make concrete decisions and enforce them. It’s called vision. As long as you know where God is taking you in the future, you’ll figure out where you’re not going so skillfully. You’ll easily be able to distinguish between the voice of God and the suggestions of people, as good as they may be.
Vision gives birth to purposeful living. And your purpose determines your discipline, which in turn, adds value to your time. Until you focus on what God has called you to do, you’ll not see much fruition in it.
See, no matter what you do, people are watching you. Unbelievers won’t understand your Christianity. That’s why Paul didn’t say we should be an example to everyone (but to believers alone). You don’t have to live to prove anything to anyone. But you must know that God is watching what you’re using that one life you have now to do. Live to please God so privately and consciously that your life will serve as an example to other believers, even without you knowing.
As a worker or a disciple to your leader, especially in a ministry or a workplace, you may have more requisite skills than your boss, leader or pastor in a specific area of life. That doesn’t mean you’re greater than him. In fact, you’re different with different skills, so you can contribute to the growth of the overall vision of the organisation, not take another person’s place.
Vision without work is like sleeping, only to never wake up. There are some things you must possess and do if you want to actualise your vision. And today, I’m glad to share three of them with you.
