I was watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Actually, I did not watch the entire game. I joined in around three minutes left in the fourth quarter. I saw the Bucs were down by 13 points and I said to my husband, "Oh, this game is over. The Bucs are going to lose." Well, I was wrong, I mean wayyyy wrong! The defense stopped the Saints and the Bucs scored two touchdowns within those final three minutes! It was amazing! I screamed in excitement because they won and because of the manner in which they won! I saw the determination of the Buccaneers to win. They did not give up despite their opponent's attempts to refuse them. Watching their resolve reminded me of the importance of having the right focus and the right voice in your head. The Bucs were focused on achieving their goal and they were listening to their coaches and not the opposing team nor any negative thoughts that entered their own minds.
So often the journey to destiny is met with opposition and obstacles. In the beginning it looks promising but somewhere along the way a bump or bumps in the road appear. These bumps could be financial, a health concern, relationship trouble, feelings of inadequacy, or a lack of motivation due to insufficient support from family and/or friends. These bumps could end our journey if we allow them. These challenges can cause us to become weary and feel defeated. We may want to throw in the towel and not continue because we feel the journey is exhausting and not worth the trouble. This happened to the Israelites on several occasions on their way to the Promised Land. They wanted to turn back! They wanted to quit! They were willing to forgo their freedom and their destiny because the journey seemed to be more troublesome than the difficulties they had in Egypt.
Why were they willing to let it go? They were listening to the wrong voice! Instead of keeping their focus on the voice of God they were listening to themselves - their doubts, their insecurities, and their fears. God had told them that He would send an angel before them to guard them along the way and to bring them into the place He had prepared. He told them to pay attention to the angel and listen to what the angel said. He cautioned them not to rebel against him because he would not forgive their rebellion, since God's name was in him. God told them if they listened carefully to what the angel said and do all that God said, He (God) would be an enemy to their enemies and would oppose those who opposed them. (Ex. 23:20-22)
The Israelites got caught up in what they saw instead of anchoring ourselves in what God said! (We are guilty, too!) Of course, they saw difficulties but God could see beyond them. He can see through obstacles. God can see what you cannot! He sees around the corner, over the mountain, and through the valley! He's not sight challenged! He sees it all! And He can defeat our opposers, too. If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) We must trust what He said! Trusting Him is what is needed for us to have a victorious journey! We must listen to His voice and
obey His instructions! Tom Brady and the Bucs were listening to their coaches! They had a unified objective and that was to win the game. They shut out the voices of their opponents and attentively followed the game plan of their coaches. Likewise, we believers, followers of Jesus Christ, must listen to our coach too! Oh, there will be opposition and obstacles, but obey God! He has sent His Holy Spirit to be your Helper, Comforter, and Guide! (John 14:16) Give full attention to Him and cancel out the negative thoughts of your own mind as well as those worthless words of your opposers. God will get you to the place of promise - to your destiny - if you obey Him. Don't stop! God has you covered!
Now, you know!
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