Title: No Experience is wasted
Memory Verse: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” – Colossians 3:23
I saw the movie Karate kid many years ago, which gave me an inspiration for today’s topic. The master was trying to teach the student a particular technique of karate by telling him to wax his car. The instruction was simple. “Wax on with the right hand, wax off with the left hand in circular motions”.
The student tried to take a short cut. He was waxing the car in vertical motion, up and down. When the master came out, he rebuked him and told him to return to circular motion. Weeks later, he showed him how the circular motion from waxing his car turned into a defensive move in karate.
In many instances we are like the student, who is trying to take a short cut to the finish process or job, missing out on the important lessons for our benefit. No experience is ever wasted! If you are in a hurry, you might find yourself in an office you have no tools to perform your duties. Moses was in a hurry to be a deliverer; he ended up spending 40 years in the wilderness (Exodus 2:12-15).
In contrast, King David was a shepherd boy, but unknown to him, he was being prepared for the throne. The sheep he looked after as a shepherd became the children of Israel, he later ruled as a king. The lion and bear he fought as a shepherd became the Philistines and Amalekites; he later fought as a king to defend his kingdom. Likewise Peter was an ordinary fisherman, until he met Jesus who made him fishers of men (see Matthew 4:19).
The scriptures says,
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2:15
God prepares those He uses. He is a thorough examiner, who won’t let you cheat your way to the top. Do not skip on the classes of life; life’s examination has no timetable. He prepares people for the things so that their blessings will not be a curse, if they get it too soon (Psalms 75:6-7).
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” – Romans 8:29-30
God knows everyone’s ability and calling. Be patient, be steadfast. He will promote you at the due time.
Prayer Points
- Father thank you for your Holy Spirit my teacher
- Father, give me a heart. A teachable heart to perceive the lesson you are teaching me – 1 Kings 3:9-12
- Father, uphold me to the end and give me the grace to pass life’s examination with flying colours – Romans 9:16
