When we’re kids we name the heroes we want to become. As time goes by, those names fade into nothing more than childish fantasies. So, when over night we find ourselves as grown ups (every kids’ dream) we settle for way less than what we dreamed our life to be.
God chose Israel to become that hero for all nations.
Deuteronomy 28:13 shows God’s beautiful desire for them.
“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. ”
At Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year observed around September) families serve among many other things a whole fish (head to tail) and they read this specific verse as a reminder that God wants them to be the head and not the tail. God wants His people to be leaders, to stay at the top.
In His love for Israel, God rebuked them, disciplined them, forgave them, and offered them hope and numerous chances. Yet, His children, stuck like a hamster on the wheel of stubbornness, kept on sliding to the bottom.
(Moms and dads take courage! A perfect Father, may not result in perfect kids. Parenting is all about teaching in love, correcting in patience, and being consistent. And more often than not, you have to do the most loving thing, you have to allow children to taste the natural consequences of their sinful choices.)
And so is the case with the chosen nation. Israel was long gone into captivity, followed by Judah who rapidly tumbled to the bottom of the barrel, ending up in the hands of the Babylonians.
Israel as a nation failed to rise to the top. But, God blessed the individuals that showed faithfulness and He elevated them beyond their expectations, making them head, not tail.
Let’s brag on Daniel
Instead of being in survival mode while in captivity, he risks his life numerous times by standing up for what he believed. Daniel is careful not to “defile himself with the royal food and wine”. God blessed Daniel’s genuine fear of the Lord. So, He made him, and his friends ‘head, not tail’.
“In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” Daniel 1:20
Let’s not overlook Jabez
I’m inspired by his bold prayer, not wanting to accept a meagre life. Way too often we limit God, and we don’t even dare to pray boldly in faith. I heard a friend pray recently “God help me not to put You in a box, limiting you by my expectations.” (Caution! Don’t go to the extreme of ‘wealth/ prosperity’ gospel. If you’re sick, or in need, you are treated as being sinful. God allows good and bad to work out for our good and His glory.)
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Let’s glean from Joshua and Caleb
These two great examples stood in front of an angry nation ready to stone them because Joshua and Caleb trusted God to lead them into the Promised Land. (Numbers 14:6-9) Their faith didn’t go unnoticed.
“Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” Numbers 14:30
“So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.” Numbers 27:18
Let’s get encouragement from Joseph
With God’s favor, Joseph was the head and not the tail in his up-and-down life. Fear of the Lord was his foundation; integrity, hard work, and discernment were the pillar principles of his lifestyle.
While working for Potiphar, he was entrusted with all his human possessions. While in jail, “the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison” (Gen. 39:20-23) When in front of Pharaoh, he was told: “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. ” (Gen. 41:42)
To Sum Up
Nope. We don’t need to be no Super Hero. The question is, do we offer our best in every aspect of our life? Did we complacently give in, because life hit us with unexpected challenges?
It’s like a bride and groom-to-be before the wedding day, they diet with celery sticks in both hands to fit in perfectly in their dream outfit, no later than the honeymoon is over, they switch from Small to Large. Just because they have arrived.
In our race with Christ, there is no ‘I have arrived’ until we meet with Him at the finish line. There is no ‘I want to quit’. There is no ‘I am too tired’. There is no ‘other humanly- speaking- good excuse’.
Sure, on my own, I am at my wits end. THROUGH Christ, I can do all things because He STRENGTHENS me.
Since God deserves the best representation on earth, let’s not continue to settle for a ‘tail’ lifestyle.
Let’s live the most honourable life as a single adult. Let’s do more than just survive while in the parenting season. Let’s work with the most diligent and trustworthy hands as an employee. Let’s not waste pain and challenges, but let’s show the world that in Christ, with Christ, and for Christ we can do all things.
Let’s be the head and not the tail!
Read and Memorize:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ” Colossians 3:23-24
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3