It is important that one realizes that it is not always the case that those who begin first or go ahead early are necessarily the winners in the end. If one has not made a correct evaluation of the struggle and what it takes they may begin early or be ahead and still lose the struggle. This is particularly the case for long winding struggles. A clear example in the scripture is the tragedy of Esau, Jacob’s twin. Although he was the first from the womb and begun with the favor of their father, he nevertheless lost the advantage because he underestimated what it took to complete the
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struggle and achieve the reward. In the end, Jacob was more shrewd and determined for victory. He outmaneuvered Esau to assume the incredible blessing of their father, a result that his brother could not reverse however much he pleaded with his father (Genesis 27:37; Hebrews 12:16-17). It is amazing why we let ourselves be bothered by the successes of those who seem to have gone ahead of us. I will never forget the remarkable visit of the international ministry of Joyce Meyer to our nation two years ago. It had a lasting impact on so many others and me. Our nation will remain forever grateful for her commitment and excellent delivery of God’s word. Among her team was Pastor Muthoni of Kenya who taught on the incredible testimony of Joseph in prison. He told us how at one time in his life he complained to God concerning why his breakthroughs were delaying while those of some newcomers in the Kingdom seemed to be popping like corn. God asked him to look at Genesis 40:11 for the answer. Naturally, the reference did not make any sense to him for it reads, “I was holding the cup of Pharaoh.” However, God proceeded to ask him whether he preferred to hold the cup of Pharaoh or the nation of Pharaoh. Holding the cup of Pharaoh needed only three days in prison as it was for the butler referred to in the story, while holding the nation of Pharaoh would take longer as was the case with Joseph. The profound lesson was that big breakthroughs take longer to materialize than small ones; the bigger the reward, the higher the price. But it does also demonstrate how the last can eventually be the first.
That is the same reason God rebuked the prophet Jeremiah for complaining about the prosperity of the wicked. God
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asked him, “If you cannot walk with footmen how can you race with horsemen” (Jeremiah 12:5). In essence, God was questioning whether the prophet had enough nerve to pay the price for a greater breakthrough than the wicked of his times. God was asking whether the prophet had it in him to endure till he witnesses a mightier blessing for those who pay a higher price. The point is that the winner of a long haul or great reward must never lose the will to win simply because at some point he/she appears to be losing. Rather than quitting, one may need to evaluate the participants in the struggle or ones so-called competitor. You may find that while you are on a long distance haul you are evaluating yourself with someone in a short sprint race. A fate, unfortunately, many in God’s Kingdom find themselves in. We need to know that we are in a different league from the one of this world. The Apostle Paul advised that we do not conform to the standards of this world (Romans 12:2). We are not running the same race and must not measure ourselves with the same standards: While they are keen to make it here, we should be setting our eyes up there (Hebrews 12:2). Their ultimate ambition may be to please themselves, ours is to please our Father and His Christ (Galatians 1:10). They are in a short sprint; we are in for a
very long haul. So if we find ourselves every so often
seemingly behind we should not get into a panic. In reality, we are really way ahead. For in the end, all our desires will pass away and it is only the will of God that will remain (1 John 2:17). To be sure, we ought to know that we will always win for whatever is born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
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So often, the Master sought to clarify on this issue. In His opinion, going ahead was not as important as finishing ahead. This was the important lesson He sought to make in His parable of the workers in the vineyard that received the same reward at the end of a day’s labor irrespective of the time they came. Consequently, He rebuked them whenever they jostled for positions and assumed primary importance over others. It was also the value coded in the advice not to assume senior places when invited in a party and risk embarrassment but to take the humble place and be eventually lifted (Luke 14:8-10). The philosopher of the book of Ecclesiastes echoes the same lessons when he advises:
Patience is better than pride. The end
of a matter is better than the beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
The believer should not despair when seemingly lagging behind. With patience and humility we overcome and win those who may have gone ahead.