Written By Ben Dankaka
Meditation – Luke 21:19
Until you commit yourself to a single cause, you will never become an outstanding leader. Great leaders, all over the world are known for doing one thing. Think of all the leaders that have impacted our world the most – They are single-minded. When people talk about Nelson Mandela, the one thing that goes through their minds is the man’s fight against apartheid even though he was a lawyer. Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor, but he is celebrated as a civil rights activist. So what makes great leaders exceptional isn’t really their profession but what they do with their lives. Whether it is in business, sports or entertainment, it is the same. Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, applied this principle. At one time, He was a carpenter. During that period, He neither preached nor performed miracles. And when He launched His ministry, He quit carpentry and focused on His work of saving the world.
Jesus often emphasized the importance of dedication. One time, He told His disciples that “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Although, this parable is intended to make us recognize the worth of the kingdom of heaven, it also illustrates the kind of attitude that is required of anyone who wants to achieve anything worthwhile. The “merchant” gave up everything he had for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the merchant let go every other endeavor that might stop him from achieving his ultimate goal of making heaven. I don’t know what you need to give up. But if that dream means so much to you, you will have to let go of other things.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to stay focused. Amen.
REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 14:44-46
Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.