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Taking more points from the book ‘Ruling your World’ by Dr. David Oyedepo, we will continue with the topic Recipe for Impactful Living.
If you’d like to watch the continuation of the first part of Recipe for Impactful Living, you can watch the video below.
But if you’d prefer to read the post, let’s jump right in.
In Luke 14:28, the Bible says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Anyone who is about to build a tower (in this case, a tower represents something lasting, something transgenerational) should count the cost first and honestly evaluate if he can meet the demands. Preparation is key to everything in life. Every aircraft ready for take-off must be prepared for the entire duration of the flight. You have to be prepared in every way possible: mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and financially prepared. Any purpose or idea that will create a lasting impact must of a certainty be adequately prepared for.
In his book, Ruling Your World, Dr. Oyedepo likened pursuing our purpose to building a tower. You cannot start to build a skyscraper or a multiple storey building without first digging a foundation that is deep enough to carry that kind of building. The depth of the foundation you lay when you are building a bungalow or a one-story building is not the same when building a skyscraper or a tower; it takes different levels of preparation. Depending on what kind of vision or purpose you are running with, your preparation must align. If not, your purpose may not be as impactful as you expect.
There is no future for the purpose without skill. If you have little to no skill and do not know what you are doing, people will realize very quickly that you are making a mess of things because you have no idea what to do. Skill is very important in everything you do. Developing your skill requires you to build yourself, to have a personal revelation and understanding of the value you intend to add to people’s lives and to be intellectually ready.
No matter how great your calling, how genuine your pursuit, your purpose cannot be accomplished without skill. Why? To every trade, there is a required skill, and the quality of your skill determines the quality of your output.
In Psalms 78:72, the Bible talked about David and the skill with which he led Israel. “and David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Training and practice build skills. Skills don’t fall on anyone; we actively pursue the training that builds our skills. Verse 70 and 71 of Psalms 78 show to us that David didn’t just happen to emerge king of Israel; he trained and built up his skill while tending to his father’s sheep in the wilderness. “He chose David His servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep, He brought him to be the shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.”
1Samuel 17:20-37 tells us how diligently he kept his father’s sheep.
David’s skill and training of keeping his father’s sheep and defending them from wild beasts was the preparation ground for where God was taking him to – becoming the king of Israel. No wonder the scripture says in Proverbs 22:29, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”
Skill is defined as the ability to do something well. Therefore, as children of the Most High who has done all things well (see Mark 7:27), it is on us to develop our skills in different areas so we can truly make an impact and add values to lives.
Commitment is the ingredient that ensures you get the desired results no matter what. Whatever you are not committed to, you cannot get the results you desire. Your purpose, revelation, skill, preparation, the wealth of information at your disposal, and ideas notwithstanding. Without commitment, there is no accomplishment. Another word for commitment is the diligence of hard work.
Just like we read earlier in Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Diligence takes you farther than anyone can imagine. The Bible puts it very explicitly; if you are diligent in your business, whatever you do, and you give it all it takes, give it everything, and pursue with so much zeal, you are sure to get result. In the beginning, you may not see the kind of result you expect, but do not give up. If you remain tenacious and hard-working, you redo, rebuild, correct mistakes, and re-strategize when things are not working or producing as you expect, you will see the result you desire.
I hope these three points mentioned will give you the right perspective to pursue whatever vision God has placed in your heart. Whether it is starting a business, building your family, starting on a new career path, or continuing where you are, in your academics or your relationships, these three points are important for impactful day to day living.
Thank you very much for visiting. Please share this post; it may be a blessing to someone’s life. And also, leave a comment down below. Please share your plans for the next phase of your life and if there is something you are dealing with or struggling with, please share with me so we can pray and work through it together.
Thanks for reading. God bless you.
