MADE TO BE GREAT 12: WALK THE PATH OF HONOUR
At a point on the journey of ministry, there was a situation that was hurting. I knew I could not stay in offence, but it was equally tough to express love.
I was arriving in town, and I drove by the office of someone who had hurt me at a point. The Lord said to me, “Turn and bless him with the cash that is on you”. That was strange. I was hesitant but I obeyed the Lord. It was not the easiest of all obedience then I must admit.
Greatness will always do what is right. Greatness will always tow the path of honour. Greatness will never undermine those who are deserving of honour or that it has been commanded to honour.
There are tests you are facing today that are simply your audition for greatness. If you are not obedient and courageous enough to tow the path of honour, you will be eaten up.
For instance, David had passed most of the audition for kingship in the first phase – His Father’s House. There was a tougher second phase in The Palace of Saul. In the palace, it all started like he was the real star boy but before he could blink his eyes, scheming and plots to kill him began. There was an open display of hatred for him at a point.
How on earth would you keep on playing music for the man who wants you dead? He even threw a javelin at you once. He sent men to your house to bring you dead or alive even though you are his son-in-law. He wiped out an entire clan of priests simply because they gave you bread and a sword (the priests gave you the honour you deserve as an envoy but they paid with their lives and those of their wives and children)
If you get the opportunity to revenge, would you not seize the moment? Yes, you likely would. David was tempted to seize the moment. It was his test.
When he cut a piece of King Saul’s garment, his conscience would not let him rest. That is the kind of heart that passes the audition for greatness.
In God’s hall of greatness, the finest ranks are reserved for broken men and not just brilliant men. They are men who will follow through in obedience even at the expense of being seen as “foolish”.
David still called King Saul, “My father”. David still showed honour. His men would have wondered why he was not seizing the moment.
“God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!” “No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let’s get out of here!”
1 Samuel 26:8-11 NLT
Some opportunities will look like the perfect clapback moment or the time of vengeance. If you look closely, you will see your examiner standing close by. Most times, it is a test of your heart.
Can you speak a blessing over someone who has hurt you deeply? You cannot go up while you exert effort trying to hold somebody down.
What you are doing is purchasing your freedom from the poisoned arrows that can mar you for life. Once you respond with love and walk in honour, you have left the track that the poisoned arrow is travelling on. Poison does not travel on the highway of love and honour. There is no way you would meet. If you stay in bitterness, the arrow will pierce your heart and you will not like who you become.
Will you walk the high road of honour?
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa