The Supreme Climb

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“He said, ‘Take now your son ’ ” (Genesis 22:2).

God’s command is, “Take now,” not later, or tomorrow.  It's amazing how we stall and debate this command! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately.  If we are to climb to the highest heights God has planned for us, it can never be done later—it must be done now!

And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it. “So Abraham rose early in the morning  and went to the place of which God had told him” (22:3). Oh, the simplistic wonderful faith of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not “confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16).

Be careful when you want to “confer with flesh and blood” or even your own thoughts, insights, or understandings—anything that is not based on your personal relationship with God. These are things that will compete with and hinder your true obedience to God. 

Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be, nor did he know what the sacrifice demanded (his son).  But he continued to listen and be obedient to God  in faith.

My friends, always guard against "self-chosen service for God". Self-chosen sacrifice may be a disease that will impair your true service to God.  If God made your cup sweet, drink it with grace and thanksgiving; or even if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him and thank him for your trials..."knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.. (James1:3)

If the divine will of God means a hard and difficult road for you, go through it with a humble heart.  But never ever try to decide the journey of your own, as if to say, “I will only go so far, but no farther.” 

God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor complained, but faithfully obeyed.  If you are not living in touch with the Holy Spirit of God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him when bad things happen in our lives.

Some people think that when we get into a church.  That you are somehow divinely protected now.  Well, if that was so, then everybody would be filling the church pews religiously!  

People just don’t understand that, the storms of life sometimes gets inside the church…yes, Jesus never promised that the ride would be smooth when we follow him!…he never promised that there won't be storms in our lives, because there will be.   He simply said… "I’ll be with you"…But think about this, when you are in a storm with Jesus…Its always better to be inside that little boat then outside…Amen?  (Mark 4:37-39)

We must go through trials before we have any right to pronounce our Christianity, because by going through trials you learn to know and appreciate Jesus better.  You'll learn that ..."all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose"  (Romans 8:28)

God will work with and through you to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
www.failaugaministry.org