Go higher (with podcast episode #16)

Do you want to go higher? Do you want more than the life you're living? Do you believe God wants the best for you? If so, good for you. You can get there -- we can get there. Going higher means doing the things that we only dream about. Going higher means putting ourselves out there for ridicule, criticism, rejection, embarrassment, humiliation, and the list goes on. It's a little scary, isn't it? But guess what? Going higher also gets us ready for respect, favor, approval, acceptance, peace, and abundant blessings. TD Jakes says, everybody who's where God has sent them had to go through those things. There are no shortcuts. It's the same for us. If we want to go higher, we have to do what it takes to get there. Going higher means there are going to peaks and valleys and we have to be ready for them. Are you ready? Are you willing? Do you believe God?

In Bruce Wilkinson's book, the Dream Giver, Wilkinson talks about a person named Ordinary from a no-place place called Familiar. Ordinary finally begins to embark on the journey God has for him. On his way he is encountered with all the things that would make him want to stop. On his journey to getting all that God has for him, he meets people who gave up and he meets people who toughed it out. Ordinary was close to giving up many times, but something inside of him didn't want what to go back to nothingville. In the end, he eventually gets what God had for him, but it was still work. We can never rest for too long when it comes to helping others. But know this: if God called us to it, He will ensure we will be equipped with all we need to go through it and it will be indeed worth it. All of us can be happy and joyous living a Godly life. It is obtainable and it's for us too, not just everybody else. 

We must continue the climb and keep climbing even if we're uncomfortable about the unknown. Remember Proverbs 3:5/6, which says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. And Proverbs 3:1/2 says. "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. God says continue on even if we don't know exactly where we're going. When we're walking in His direction we're going higher. So continue to trust Him, listen to His voice, and you will get there. It means relying on total faith, because we trust God completely.

And as long as we trust Him and where He's taking us, we will be just fine. A-okay. He never fails us. Never. Just follow Him. Psalm 37:5 says, "commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Proverbs 37:5. Yep, He will take you higher and you will shine like a diamond, baby. That's how we achieve the great things God has for us. We have to keep climbing. That's how we go higher in God.