2 Corinthians 10:12 — “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves… But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.”
Reflection: Comparing ourselves to others is one dangerous trap believers fall into. When we compare our gifts or progress to those of others, we fail to see the particular path God has planned for us. When we measure our gifts or progress against that of others, we lose sight of the unique journey God has set before us.
In the parable of the talents, it is likely that the third servant compared his one talent to the wealth given to the other two servants and felt that it was not valuable enough to work for. Comparison turns our race into a contest, leading to pride or despair. Pride is feeling superior to others, while despair comes from feeling inadequate.
God does not measure us against others but instead evaluates our faithfulness and the use of our gifts. Every person has a distinct purpose, and our abilities are custom-made for the particular task God has assigned us in His Kingdom. By comparing ourselves to others, we overlook the joy and satisfaction of accepting our own path. Instead of comparing yourself to others, recognize how God has specifically equipped you for your task. Consider any instances where you measure yourself against others, and ask for God’s guidance in embracing the gifts and path He has given you.
Prayer: Lord, help me focus on You and my calling and not on the gifts or progress of others. Amen.
Action Step: Write down one area where you struggle with comparison. Commit it to God and thank Him for your unique gifts.
Matthew 25:24-25 – “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man… So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.’”
Reflection: Fear of failure is a potential crippler in the journey of faith. In the parable of the Talents, the Master distributes his wealth to his three servants, expecting them to use the endowment well while he is away. The first two step out to trade with what the master trusts, while the third servant allows fear to limit his actions. Instead of venturing with the talent he received, he hides it. He is afraid of losing the talent in his care. Fear will lead anyone who succumbs to it to inaction; fear imagines nothing will turn out well.
God’s definition of success differs from the world’s success standards. He simply expects us to be faithful stewards. When a steward is faithful, he will step out of the boat and depend on wisdom from above, trusting that the Lord will give him the increase. God expects our trust and obedience, not perfection. It is easy to believe that He expects perfection from us when all He truly desires is our trust and obedience. Reflect today to discern where your fear of failure may be holding you back. Are there gifts or opportunities you neglect because you fear failure?
Remember, not many of those called by God are wise and mighty; He calls the foolish and the weak to show forth His glory through them while being with them every step of the way. Do not let fear rob you of the opportunity to use your gifts for His glory.
Prayer: Father, replace my fear with faith. Help me to step out boldly and trust that You will guide me as I use the gifts You’ve given me. Amen.
Action Step: Identify one fear that prevents you from using your gifts. Pray over it, then take a step forward today.
In a world that prizes hard work and effort, it’s easy to fall into the mindset that everything depends on us. We celebrate the worker who endures long hours, the one who goes above and beyond. But when it comes to serving God and His kingdom, there’s a deeper truth at play—one that shifts our focus from sheer effort to faith in what God has already accomplished.
In John 4:38, Jesus said, “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” This statement challenges our instinct to rely solely on our own strength. The harvest we step into isn’t the result of our effort alone—it’s the culmination of God’s ongoing work, one that began long before we entered the field.
Faith Over Hard Work
In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a farmer who scatters seed. After planting, the farmer goes about his daily life, sleeping and rising while the seed grows—though he doesn’t understand how. When the harvest comes, it’s ready because God has brought it to fruition, not because the farmer made it grow. This parable beautifully illustrates a truth we often overlook: the results we seek don’t come from how hard we work, but from trusting in God’s power to bring about the harvest.
That doesn’t mean we’re passive bystanders. There is still sowing to be done, still work to do, but the growth? The increase? That belongs to God. Our calling is to be faithful and diligent, but with a mindset grounded in faith, not striving. We’re called to a different kind of diligence—one that doesn’t conform to human standards of success or productivity. It’s a diligence anchored in trust, knowing that the Lord of the harvest is already at work, and that He will bring the increase in His perfect time.
The Problem with Glorifying Hard Work
One of the dangers of glorifying hard work is that it places the spotlight on us, the workers, instead of on God. When we start to believe that everything depends on our effort, we shift the focus away from the One who is truly in control. We begin to take pride in what we’re doing, forgetting that our labor is part of a larger story—one that God is orchestrating.
In John 5:17-19, Jesus says something remarkable: “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” But He follows this by clarifying that the Son can do nothing by Himself; He does only what He sees His Father doing. Jesus—the perfect example of a servant—knew that His work flowed from the Father’s. He wasn’t working to prove Himself or to gain recognition; He was working in step with God’s will, knowing that His labor was part of a bigger plan.
This is the mindset we’re called to adopt. Our work isn’t about proving our worth or earning God’s approval—it’s about joining Him in what He’s already doing. When we approach it from this perspective, our labor becomes lighter. We’re no longer burdened by the need to make everything happen ourselves. Instead, we can rest in the knowledge that God’s plan is unfolding, and we’re simply playing our part.
Entering Into What’s Already Done
When we realize that we’re stepping into a work that’s already completed in Christ, our perspective changes. The pressure to make things happen on our own fades away, and we can labor with a sense of peace and purpose. We’re not starting from scratch; we’re stepping into a story that God has already written, a field that He has already prepared.
Until we embrace this truth, our work will always feel like an endless grind. But when we begin to see that the harvest is ready—because of God’s work, not our own—we can labor with joy and expectancy. We’re not the ones who make the harvest happen; we’re the ones who gather it in.
Jesus reminded us in Matthew 9:37 that “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” This isn’t a call for more hard work—it’s a call for more workers to join in what God has already prepared. It’s an invitation to step into a harvest that is ready to be reaped, not because of our effort, but because of God’s faithfulness.
A Shift in Mentality
The Lord is calling us to embrace a new mentality—one rooted in faith rather than toil. This doesn’t mean we stop working. On the contrary, it means we work with a sense of purpose, knowing that the results don’t rest on our shoulders. We are partners with God, working in step with His Spirit, trusting that He is the one who brings the increase.
When we let go of the need to prove ourselves through our efforts, we begin to see the bigger picture. It’s not about us; it’s about Him. Our work is not the source of the harvest—God is. And as we align ourselves with His plan, we find that our labor is not in vain, but part of something far greater than we could ever accomplish on our own.
The harvest is plentiful, and God is calling us to gather it in. Not by striving, but by faith. Not by our strength, but by His. When we understand this, we enter into the joy of working with God—not just for Him—and we see the fruit of His finished work all around us.
God knows that without Him, you can do nothing (Jn 15:5). He has made provision of mercy and grace to help you every time there is need (Heb. 4:16).
Whatever His will is, it is best thing that can happen to you. The will of God doesn’t always seem like it is good enough to many. So, they complain, murmur or outrightly depart from what they know as God’s thought.
I have a very good news for you. God’s will will not lead you to where His grace cannot carry you. That difficulty will soon melt in the presence of God’s grace.
If it looks like the trouble is persisting and mercy is delayed. Don’t be moved by the troubles; wait for the operation of His grace. It will definitely speak for you.
I have this spurring in my spirit to encourage this month.
EXPECT GREAT THINGS, AS GOD’S MERCY IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE OVER YOUR LIFE.
Welcome to May 2017, it shall be a great month for you.
Yours in His service,
IsaacBoluwatise
NB. Block your calendar for the next Higher Ground Rally. The date is Sunday, 18th June. Find the details at http://bit.ly/hgr0617
Many are about to receive a special visitation in a matter of days.
Hearts are about to be illuminated, enlightened, and encouraged
Bodies are about to be healed under the ministry of the powerful word of God.
Gaps shall be bridged between your existence and God’s purpose for your life.
A higher ground of Kingdom relevance and existence to God’s glory awaits you.
All these and more according to your faith and expectations are going to be made real from 4:00 pm this Sunday, 26th February, 2017.
The venue for the event is The Emperor Place, Beside St. Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital, Ijede Road, Ikorodu, Lagos.
God is set to initiate the fulfilment of some of His plans for your life. These plan shall be seen by all around you to the glory of God.
Arrivals and Registrations of attendees and check-in for online preregistered attendees start at 3:00 pm.
Music shall be on before the clock hits 4:00 pm.
Departures from the venue shall be before the clock stikes at 6:00 pm
Registering online before the day is an advantage. It helps you to beat the queue for registration at the venue. Your confirmation happens just in a few seconds.
While admission is free, registration is required for everyone above age 16.
Isaac Boluwatise 
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