First Written: Tue, 6 Nov 2007

You set the Limits -Take other limits off

I once heard a pastor say that 'You will never amount to anything in life until you learn to become totally independent of everybody but Jesus' and it really hit me hard. Independent in this sense does not mean that you can't seek or listen to advice from friends and family/loved ones or that you can't seek wise counsel from a mentor or someone you look up to (A wise man can learn something from even a fool). But independent in this sense simply means that the choice is totally yours where your life and future is concerned and how much more will we miss it if we don't know our creator and see our purpose, destiny and future through Heaven's eyes? The closer you get to God and understanding why you were created and what you were created for, the easier it is for you to walk in the fullness of your calling without any form of limitations. In order for you to fully utilized a product you just bought, you need to go through the manual. The case is the same in the Kingdom. In order to know that which you were created for, you need to inquire from your manufacturer.


I realized one of our greatest fears we human beings have is the fear of being rejected or alienated so because of this we find ourselves always aligning to the status quo or just doing what our friends/colleagues/family wants us to do though everything within us hates what we are doing. Like the saying goes 'If you can't beat them, join them'. Also, one of the greatest lies we've used to deceive ourselves is that 'as far as everyone around me is happy and I am not stepping on toes, than I am happy' or ' I don't have release in my heart to do what X or Y advised me or wants me to do because everything within me is leading me in a different direction or I have other commitments, but if I say no, he/she will be offended and may alienate himself/herself from me or may even end up telling people bad things about me'. I know this because this was the kind of person I used to be but now I see things and life from a whole different point of view and I've learnt to set healthy boundaries and it is very liberating. One thing I have learnt about life is don't live your life solely to please people because our emotions are very fickle and unstable and the people that love you today when you are doing things their way may hate you tomorrow when you stop doing things their way and there is no way you can walk in the fullness of that which God has called you to walk without stepping on toes. The forces of darkness don't like it when you you aligning yourself to God's will so stumbling blocks will always be placed in your path. But every stumbling block can become a stepping stone to the next level for you. Its all depends on your perception to life and where your trust and confidence lies. Instead live your life to please God and as much as possible learn to live in peace with your brother (but never at the expense of yourself that is why the Rom 12:8 places emphasis on 'As much as possible').


Romans 12:18 (Amp)
18If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Matthew 5:33-37 (Message translation)
33-37"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

James 5:12 (Amp)
12But above all [things], my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath; but let your yes be [a simple] yes, and your no be [a simple] no, so that you may not sin and fall under condemnation.


If you study the lifestyle of all the greatest Achievers on this earth (Both from God's word and in the world today), you will notice a common similarity: They stood for what they believed in irrespective of what people had to say about them and even when they made mistakes, they got up and moved on (despite the criticisms) and that they always stood out of the status Quo. The people that criticized and booed them when they were still in the early stages of their achievements were the the same people that changed and started praising them when they became great achievers. So why waste your life always trying to live by how people want you to live your life or always seeking people's approval to do that which you believe in your heart is the direction God is leading you towards (note though that there are times we can really convince ourself that what we are doing is right and may be wrong. That is why God's word should be your only standard and why you need to rely totally on the help of the holy Spirit. Seeking wise counsel is also very good as well as having a mentor but the the final choice is still yours)? Take the limits off and you will see the difference. What is more important is that you live your life to please God and that you learn to walk in love at all times. But there is no way you can love somebody else if you don't love yourself (this has always been the root of inferiority/superiority complex and low self-esteem). Let God's love saturate your heart and you will never find it hard to love others even when they hurt you or offend you.


Lastly, I've grown to love a song I once heard by Vicky Yohe: Increase me (I believe Israel Houghton sang a similar version of the same song with the same powerful message). The Chorus goes like this:

No Limits, No Boundaries,
I see increase, all around me,
Stretch forth, break forth,
Release Me, Enlarge my territory


Its time for us to take the limits off and stop limiting ourselves by what people think or say about us or even the terrible experiences that we've had in life that makes it pretty difficult for us to want to move on. Its time to break free of terrible mind sets and see beyond the horizon. It is time to enlarge our territories and mode of thinking. One thing for sure is that people will always talk whether you like it or not so why bother about what people are saying about you? What should always be more important is 'What is God saying about you?' There are visions, dreams, treasures, talents, skills and gifts that God has deposited within each and everyone of us (no exceptions) to create a change around us and if you've noticed, those dreams are not always to only your benefit, but it benefits everyone around you. Don't see yourself as a grasshopper like the spies did when they were told to spy the land of Canaan. Instead, see yourself as VICTORIOUS and MORE THAN A CONQUEROR!!! even when it doesn't feel that way. Always remember that it is about taking life, one step at a time while trusting God in every step that you take (This is now my favorite saying). Even when you make mistakes, these mistakes can always work together for your good and make you a better person and that there is a time and a season for everything in life so TIMING is very important. Lets go all out to make a change in our environment and the society at large but always remember that the change must first start from within you. Just a little food for thought. Let me leave this last scripture with you.

HEBREW 12:1-3 (Amplified Version)
1THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.^(A)

3Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

I love you but my love cannot be compared to God never-ending/never-changing love towards you. Don't ever forget that God's love towards you is not dependent on your performance or works and its totally unconditional. Draw near to him (He longs for you everyday) and he will draw near to you. The CHOICE is YOURS!!!

Love always,
Eskor