He That Watereth

The greatest factor in determining the extent of your impact is the sustainability of your initiatives. If your works are not sustainable, the scope of your impact is reduced. There is an amount of discipline and consistency required to produce good results. One cannot ignore that or wish it away. Luke 14:28‭-‬30 (ESV) says, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”

You have to count the cost and determine that you will be able to complete the mission and keep things going. There are a couple of important things to consider. We already know from Luke 18:1 that if we always pray, we will not faint or lose heart. We will receive an empowerment from on high. This would enable us to flourish in our mission. There is a resilience and momentum a prayer discipline helps you to cultivate. It will help you lead a sustainable mission. From the prayer room, you will get guidance about the mission and the people that should go with you.

If you want to do work that matters, you must evaluate yourself and be honest about your capabilities. Nobody can singlehandedly change the world or make longlasting impact without requiring the help of others. We know that a sustainable mission requires the cooperation of like-minded people who share similar values. So, you do not have to start a new organization to lead a mission. You can do your best work as an employee at a mission-driven organization. It is all about founding or finding a mission-driven environment that offers the necessary leadership and resources required for you to do your best work.

Being a founder is an exciting and difficult endeavor for anyone with a vision to make a difference in the world. The journey of establishing and leading an initiative, whether a business, a non-profit, or a community project, comes with challenges and opportunities. In this quest to watch over and transform our world, founders must prioritize three fundamental activities: prayer, building a high-quality team, and resource mobilization. This is what we learn from a careful study of the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus. A million tasks will demand your attention every single day, but if you invest your time into these three things, you will get things done.

Amid the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship, prayer is the anchor that keeps the founder rooted. It’s not merely a religious activity; it’s a practice of seeking guidance, wisdom, and discernment. Founders are constantly faced with complex decisions. A moment of reflection in prayer can provide clarity and insight. Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” It is a mistake to think prayer is something required only for people working in religion. Everybody needs to cultivate a prayer discipline for the best outcomes in situations. King David was known for an intensive prayer lifestyle. He was not working in religion.

Prayer helps you get guidance and clarify your purpose, but you need a high-quality team for execution. Everything rises and falls based on the strength of available leadership. You must recruit other leaders that share your values and work together as a team. Resource mobilization ensures the initiative’s sustainability. If you bring together a team and fail to secure the required resources, you still lose in the long run. A founder must be resourceful and creative in seeking partnerships, collaborations, and financial support. Be sure to embrace these essential activities. They are not just part of the journey; they are the roadmap to success.

Do not be discouraged if your original ideas take a long time to come together. Developing original ideas is difficult, and it takes time for them to come together. You can receive a calling, an assignment, or an idea in a flash, but this flash usually starts you on the path to manifestation. There is a need for so many things to come together in alignment. You would need to grow and evolve into the person that can manifest that idea in your spirit. All of this takes time to do it well. You must commit to doing things well over doing it fast.

At age 12, Jesus was found in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (Luke 2:46 ESV). And even though he demonstrated great understanding at an early age, he did not really start anything until nearly twenty years later. In 1666, Isaac Newton was struck with a flash of creative brilliance that would change the world forever. That insight; that inspired thought was how the concept of gravity was born. But it took him 20 years to develop the concept into an intellectually consistent form. He published his groundbreaking book, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles Of Natural Philosophy) in 1687.

In the movies, people are able to quickly assimilate complex knowledge and develop expertise in time to build out their inventions before the movie runtime ends. We would do well to separate fiction from reality. You need to make peace with the idea that it might take you decades to learn, grow and work out the ideas in your spirit. Whether you’re building a nonprofit or a bank, a ministry or a new invention, these things take time to do them well. Authors carry book ideas in their spirit for many years before publishing it to acclaim. Give yourself the permission to take as much time as is required.

In 2007, Amir Vehabovic, a 45-year-old Bosnian man, staged his own death to test the strength of his friendships. His funeral, intended as a ruse, had only one attendee – his mother. This bizarre experiment was inspired by Amir’s suspicion that his friends didn’t genuinely care for him. Amir, disgusted by this discovery, wrote an angry letter to his so-called friends: “I paid a lot of money to get a fake death certificate and bribe undertakers to deliver an empty coffin. I really thought a lot more of you, my so-called friends, would turn up to pay your last respects. It just goes to show who you can really count on.”

On the surface, it might seem like Amir’s friends failed him. However, if we dig deeper, we uncover an important lesson. Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) reminds us that there are “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Amir’s friends might not have demonstrated loyalty, but it’s important to ask: Did Amir himself exhibit the qualities of a genuine friend? Sometimes, what we receive in friendship is a reflection of what we give. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides a roadmap for what genuine love and friendship should look like.

Amir’s experiment appears to reinforce the idea that genuine friendship and love no longer exist in the world. But that’s not true; his mother did, after all, show up. Understand that parental love is the most similar to the selfless love promoted by the Bible. Begin by being a true friend if you want true friendship and love. We must strive to be reliable friends in the same way that we seek reliable friends. In the end, Amir’s story is about the kind of friend he was, not his friends. It causes us to consider our values and the characteristics we exhibit in our relationships.

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci once held the esteemed title of the world record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. It was an accomplishment celebrated by many, and she was admired for her dedication and skill. However, the winds of competition can shift swiftly. On November 7, 2023, the Guinness World Records introduced a new champion in the form of Irish chef Alan Fisher. Fisher had set a new record, cooking for an astonishing 119 hours and 57 minutes in his restaurant in Japan, surpassing Hilda Baci’s previous record by over 24 hours.

The remarkable part of this story is not the shift in titles, but the way Hilda Baci gracefully acknowledged the new record holder. She humbly removed the world record title from her social media bio and expressed her admiration for the hard work and dedication it took for Alan to achieve this feat. She recognized the spirit of competition and emphasized the importance of celebrating achievements. Proverbs 29:23 says, “a man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” It is important to maintain an outlook of humility, and acknowledge the results of others.

Hilda Baci’s actions exemplify grace and sportsmanship, demonstrating that it’s not just about the titles and records, but about the spirit of progress and personal growth. Her response serves as a valuable reminder that life’s journey is marked by humility, recognition of others’ achievements, and the constant pursuit of excellence. In our own lives, we can draw inspiration from Hilda Baci’s example to show grace in defeat, recognize the accomplishments of others, and continue striving for personal growth and improvement. It’s a reminder that our true victory lies not only in the titles we hold but in the character we display in the face of competition.

People who claim they want to make the world a better place must also commit to the values of piety, service and poverty. You cannot watch your world or function as a salt and light if your goals are driven by material wealth. Apostle Paul, an excellent hero of faith we can model today, once wrote about not peddling the word of God for profit (2 Corinthians 2:17). The call to piety and kingdom service is not a call to amass wealth. When pastors, religious leaders and change agents refuse to prioritize spiritual goals over physical goods, nothing gets done.

There are far too many vanities in today’s world, and they divert our attention as fallible humans away from our true spiritual goals. Many people begin with dreams of material wealth – grand cars, lavish homes, and possibly even private yachts. A true Christian should be content with the basics of life. You don’t want a better car to brag about or flaunt your wealth. You upgrade your vehicles to increase your productivity. A spiritually attuned person does not seek more money or possessions. They establish specific spiritual goals that are in line with their purpose and mission.

When we shift our focus from material pursuits to spiritual goals, we stay on track to change things. In the end, it is this transformation, this shift from material goals to spiritual purpose, that reveals life’s greatest treasures. You must learn to prioritise God first, others second, and yourself last in your plans and pursuits. Every day, you ask yourself, “How am I being selfless?” “Where is my labour of faith and love?” and “What am I taking responsibility for in my world?” Remember the words of Jesus, “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

While there are different kinds of spiritual values that serve as the foundation of our Christian journey. It can be argued that the most important values are piety, service, and poverty. These spiritual values are more than just ideas; they are practical principles that guide our actions. They inspire us to better align our lives with Christ’s. Piety is more than just rituals; it is the state of our hearts. It is our deep connection with our Creator, a genuine devotion that transcends religious practises. It is about surrendering to God with every fibre of our being, allowing the Divine to draw us into a deeper, more intimate relationship.

When we embrace piety, our faith becomes more than just words; it becomes a living testimony, a reflection of our deep devotion. Piety leads directly to service to God and humanity. A person that is truly devoted to God is marked out by their good works. True service is, in essence, a selfless act of love. Service is more than just doing good; it is selfless love in action. It reflects Christ’s command to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. When we serve others, we become instruments of God’s grace, physically spreading His love and compassion.

Our service must be motivated by love and not lust or greed. There is no better way to ensure this than to take a poverty oath. Poverty in this context is not about lack and scarcity. This poverty is a deliberate decision to live a life of simplicity and humility. Materialism is the ultimate enemy of spiritual values, virtues, and pursuits. Your piety and service should not be motivated by an innate desire to amass wealth, but rather by a desire to remain devoted to God and serve at a higher level without the need for material gratification. Today is a good day to reflect on piety, service, and poverty.

Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Indeed, Christians should be committed to the pursuit of truth. However, in your quest for the truth, it is critical to examine your motivations. There is a distinction between seeking the truth and despising the truth. Many people are quick to question or outright reject Christian beliefs and values. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that this is not a genuine search for truth; rather, it is a revolt against the Christian faith.

Consider the case of people who sometimes embrace behaviors seemingly at odds with Christian values. It’s as if they’re attempting to break free from what they perceive as religious brainwashing. They become cruel, vile and depraved in their pursuit of modernity, but they believe they are simply irreligious. Pause and reflect on this. Are we not, in some sense, allowing ourselves to be influenced and “brainwashed” by a different kind of ideology, one that promotes sin and iniquity? This reality serves as a sobering reminder that rebelling against something we disapprove of can lead us into the arms of influences just as powerful and, sometimes, even more damaging.

Rejecting the faith of our parents may not necessarily be a path to enlightenment if it leads to embracing behaviors contrary to our core values. The pursuit of truth should be driven by a sincere desire for understanding, rather than an act of rebellion. True wisdom and growth come from critically examining our beliefs and making informed choices rather than blindly endorsing contrary views. Instead of revolting against what we disagree with, let’s channel our energies into a genuine quest for wisdom and discernment. God is real and ready to grant wisdom and understanding to the seeker. The mocker will never find the truth and will soon perish.

As you go about your mission, you must recognise that developing competence is critical. Competence is the foundation upon which your mission is built. It’s easy to become consumed by grand ideas and visions of the great and mighty things you want to accomplish, but without competence, nothing gets done. In your journey, you may discover that certain temperaments are holding you back. It’s crucial to be open to change. You cannot insist that “this is who I am.” The Lord calls you as you are, but as you progress, you cannot remain the same. This destiny journey is also one of personal growth and transformation.

The level of competence you possess plays an important role in determining the scope of your mission’s impact. According to Proverbs 22:29, skillful work elevates one’s presence, allowing them to stand before kings and influential figures. In 1 Samuel 16:18, we see this in the life of young David. He was anointed, without a doubt, but he had also developed an entire collection of skills. We see David grow as a shepherd, then as a man of valour, and finally as a king. David was able to serve God’s purpose in his own generation because of his commitment to growth and skills.

Your competence is the key to realising your full creative and spiritual potential. “What can you handle?” is the big question. With competence in place, your mission can thrive and have a significant impact on the world. Competence development is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. The skills and competencies required vary depending on the level of your mission. Whether you’re just getting started, maintaining momentum, or looking for your next breakthrough, each stage requires a different set of skills. As a result, adopting a growth mindset is non-negotiable. Accept the constant evolution of your competencies, and your mission will follow suit.

As creative, spiritual beings, we’re often inspired by fresh ideas, by visions of grandeur and innovation. These creative sparks ignite our souls, fueling our desire to make a significant impact on the world. Yet, in our zeal to bring forth new and exciting creations, we can sometimes overlook a fundamental truth: that competence is the bedrock upon which the edifice of creativity stands. For creativity to be meaningful, it must be executed with precision and skill. We can dream of visionary masterpieces, but it’s our competence that allows those dreams to take tangible form.

Without the necessary competency, it is impossible to perform exceptional work. The level of competence distinguishes between the creative person who fails to complete projects or accomplish anything and those who succeed. Before attempting to channel spiritual gifts, our heroes of faith, the great prophets and apostles of the Bible, first demonstrated competence in the ways of the Lord. Proverbs 22:29 (ESV) reminds us, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” This scripture underscores the importance of competence, showcasing how it paves the way for significant influence.

True competence is cultivated through the meticulous honing of skills and the commitment to getting the basics right. Even the most famous creative geniuses, from artists to inventors, were well-versed in their craft’s fundamentals. They worked quietly in the background, patiently honing their skills. Consider competence to be the solid foundation upon which you can build the wonders of your imagination. Your competence, like a strong foundation, enables your creative ideas to stand strong. With competence in place, your creativity and spiritual gifts can truly shine, and the impact you’ll make in this world will be all the more profound.