We live in times when people are drowned and cut into the web of comparison and competition. The feeling of desiring what the other person has, such as skills, spouses, jobs, wealth, and spiritual gifts, among others.
What we fail to realise is that a lot of those people and things we covet are a product of the intentionality and sacrifice of people. The raw materials weren’t attractive, but they were willing to pay the price and put in the work that birthed the enviable results.
Let’s illustrate with a coal pot. That fire isn’t coming out of your coal pot doesn’t mean there isn’t fire on the inside of it. Maybe all you need to do is JUST FAN IT TO FLAME. This is the reality for many of us. We cry and grumble about our coal pots being cold and unyielding, dry and empty, and ask God if we are his adopted children when we see the enviable lives of others, but God is saying I have given you the coal and lit it up. NOW FAN IT TO FLAME.
Many times, people are not as fortunate as you think. THEY ARE DELIBERATE. If you think your spouse isn’t good enough, invest in him or her, invest kind words, compliments, prayers, gifts of books and uplifting resources, unrestricted support in all spheres, and watch your dream man or woman emerge. If you love how your friend’s wife looks, why not ask him what he is doing for her and to her rather than condemn yours? Why not gift your husband that shirt you like on another man? Why not polish what you have rather than mourn what you don’t and wallow in self-comparison and self-pity, which ultimately leads to jealousy, envy, and then hatred?
The singular skill you have may JUST need to be FANNED TO FLAME to make you a global force. Chess and cooking made some people global forces to reckon with—yes, an everyday “ordinary” skill that was FANNED TO FLAME.
So this week, while praying and hoping for the things you desire to have, take a pause and focus on all the things you have and things you can do, bend over your coal pot, and FAN YOUR FIRE TO FLAME.
THE DREAM CASTLE YOU’RE PRAYING FOR MAY JUST BE WAITING TO BE BUILT BY YOU.