There is a victory waiting for you

Arturo Toscanini was a cello player in a small European orchestra. He was nearsighted and couldn’t see the music on the stand in front of him, so patiently and persistently he memorized it. One evening, the orchestra’s leader was unable to conduct. Toscanini stepped in to replace him since he was the only orchestra member who knew the program. His performance was executed with perfection and Toscanini became one of the finest conductors in the world.

Toscanini turned a disadvantage into a blessing by going one step further than the norm. An unexpected turn became the path to success.

Perhaps, you feel rejected or discouraged. Or “no” seems to be the answer everywhere you turn. Maybe, someone hurt you or your plans didn’t pan out, and you may think that the clock is running out of time. “I should have done things differently,” you might say. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this,” as doubt creeps into your mind. And little by little, you may start to withdraw. For when unjust circumstances try to steal the music from our lives, it’s easier to get stuck in the hurts of the past, give in, and quit.

But regardless of what has come and has tried to discourage you, remember God has not forgotten about you. He is not going to let you miss your destiny. For this is not the time to quit. It’s the time to reassess, regenerate and persevere.

What do you really want for your future? Each day is like a clean, white sheet of paper. You can begin now to fill it with reawakened dreams, new plans and joy-filled adventures. An unforeseen roadblock cannot defeat you. Let go of past disappointments, because God’s grace and mercy is new every morning. God’s unfailing love surrounds you and He can work miracles in your life. You can count on Him for He has promised, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” (Hebrews 6:13-14).

There is victory waiting for you. Thus, don’t give up and keep moving forward. Suddenly, you are going to come into opportunity. You are about to overcome what you are facing. Get ready. There’s soon to be a turnaround.

One of my favorite Bible stories is from the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 4:1-7 it tells us about The Widow’s Oil. The story begins tragically. A woman’s husband died, and he left her in severe financial ruin. She had no money and was faced with disaster. To make matters worse, the creditors were demanding payment and threatening to take her two sons as slaves in compensation for her husband’s debt.

I can image that the widow felt as if the music went out of her life. For it seemed that she had lost everything. Yet, the widow had great faith in God. She needed a miracle and believed God would help her. So, she cried out to Elisha, who was God’s prophet, and told him her desperate plight. “Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’” ‘“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil”’ (2 Kings 2 NIV).

Elisha asked her to do something unusual. “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side” (2 Kings 3, 4 NIV).

The widow didn’t know why she was being asked to go from door to door asking her neighbors to borrow empty jars. God can bring us miracles, but we first must be willing do our part. The widow understood this principle, and in obedience, she followed Elisha’s directions.

Thereafter, her sons brought all the jars to her that they had collected. She took out her small jar of oil, and she began to pour. One, two, three. Jar after jar, the widow kept on pouring the olive oil into each container. Miraculously, it kept flowing, and she was given enough oil to fill each one.

Elisha then informed the widow that she was able to sell the olive oil to solve her financial difficulties and there would be enough money left over for her and her sons to live. Although the widow had a great challenge, she did not give up, and God poured out His provision in their lives.

A while back, a beloved friend of mine passed away from a terminal illness. A few weeks before he went to heaven, I spoke to him. He said to me, “The real tragedy is not my illness. It’s those who so easily give up on really living when they still have breath and so much life within them to live.”

You still have a wonderful future in front of you. It’s not over. It is not finished. Put your trust in God and boldly look ahead with hope and confidence. A reader wrote via e-mail, “I am a business owner who believes my business is a blessing from God. I try to remain focused on Him daily, constantly believing He will make everything all right. Sometimes I have many customers and sometimes I have few, but I praise Him with all my heart and ask that He helps me remain patient and prayerful at all times, as I persevere, never taking my mind off Him.”

Like this reader, persist more, so God can do more. That right attitude, coupled with all the creative ideas that God gives, can’t help but lead to success!

There is an old song that says, “It’s no secret what God can do, what He’s done for others He’ll do for you.” God is fair to all. He will bless your faith which cannot help but lead to good works. So, whatever your desire is to achieve for yourself or family or others…have faith and never give up.

When your faith and works combined reach the same dedicated heights as Toscanini’s, the greatness of your purpose in life will be revealed. God has a great plan for you.

Take hold of God’s peace, joy and blessings today!