The Tribune

By AYANNA CLARKE

Perhaps looking at some of the things we have all had to endure, or even face right now, is painful.

I know there are some experiences we prefer never happened. But in going through TD Jakes’ book Crushing, I’m finding my outlook has shifted greatly and I hope yours is too.

We can now begin seeing things from a broader perspective, realising that God’s Providence guides us in ways, and into areas, we least expect, in order to work out a greater plan for us.

As we connect the dots the picture comes into focus a bit more, and what we see is absolutely amazing. None of us are who we were before. Each hardship has changed us into a wiser, better version of our former selves. We have realised that we are exactly where we should be in God’s plan for our lives, (or we’re getting there) and we trust Him to bring the journey to its expected end.

Admittedly, Jakes really touched a chord with the chapter 7 statement, “The process of Excellence is never microwaved!” Of course, this was confirmation of some ideas that bear repeating: 1. We are all in process. 2. Excellence is not instantaneous.

First, we are all in process. We are becoming something else, something greater, with the divine grace and ability to change our world in ways we cannot imagine. God has placed in each of us the potential for amazing accomplishment in career, or family, or service to church or community. The key: Do not buckle under the pressure to give up. Allow each hard thing you face to bring you into deeper communion with the Master Builder, and find out what that great destiny is.

Secondly, excellence does not come overnight. No one becomes an excellent anything at the drop of a hat. Raw talent has to be honed, natural aptitude – developed, until the peak of ability is reached. I have worked with children my entire life, and have seen those who have potential for high achievement and honours fall short because they, or someone they trusted, insisted good grades were good enough.

Of course, this opinion led to the attitude that the kid could just do what was needed to get by. The result – they stopped just short of scholarship and settled for just being smart. Unfortunately, whether it is by circumstance or by choice, some of us never reach excellence.

Perhaps it is because the work seems so hard, the testing too rigorous, but we opt for the comfort in being good instead of rising to the challenge of becoming great.

Christ was an amazing prophet, healer and teacher. His life story would have been legendary. Had he not been crucified, He would be celebrated along with other icons such as Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Paul, to name a few.

But, in the crushing experience of His death, He went from a regional phenomenon to savior of the entire world. From His crushing was reaped the harvest of the Global Ecclesia! Trusting God’s sovereignty comes at a high cost – crushing and transformation in areas we least expect and can hardly appreciate.

I firmly believe God’s Word “…that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Enduring any test can stretch us beyond limits but ultimately builds trust in God. It is that covenant of trust that encourages patience.

Patience gives us the power to stand. And that power to stand becomes power to stay. I dare you to take a look in the mirror, and know that staring back at you is someone who stands, prepared to reap a harvest of true excellence. God bless you this week!