Knock on the door of success in 2017

[Joey English]

Knock on the door of success:

It’s that time of year again. It’s time to evaluate last year, to celebrate your successes and investigate where you need to improve. Once that’s done, you can move on to the all-important task of setting goals for 2017. Are you excited?

Something I love about this time of year is that personal development goes into overdrive. If you’re like me, you’re pulling out books and listening to audios from Zig Zigglar, Stephen Covey, Jeff Olsen and the like. These guys are motivators who have books full of ways to increase self-image and discipline. Their speeches help fuel the excitement needed to attain goals.

Speaking of speeches, I’d like to draw your attention to one you may never have considered as inspirational. Yet it was written by one of the most influential motivational speakers of all time. The author’s name is Yahshua Messiah, and the speech is called the Sermon on the Mount.

Morale was extremely low in the country of Israel when this speech was given. For one, Israel was being occupied by a foreign power- Rome. This situation elicited a lot of fear and unrest. Can you imagine how scary it would be to see the Roman Legion patrolling your streets?

If that wasn’t enough, Israel’s government and clergy had become corrupt. Instead of empowering the people to live life abundantly in the manner Yahweh had commanded, these guys were more interested in elevating their bureaucratic statuses. The people of Israel had been left severely discouraged and in need of hope.

Can you imagine the breath of fresh air it must have been for the first words out of Messiah’s mouth to be, “Blessed are you?” For nine verses He started each sentence with that statement to encourage the downtrodden into believing in themselves and establish their self worth.

He went on to say, “You are the light of the world. It’s impossible for a city to be hidden on a mountain. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house. Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

Wow! Being the light of the world meant they were so extraordinary the whole world would stop and stare at them! Can you imagine what this type of talk did for their collective self images?

Towards the end of the sermon, He says, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.” ­ (Matt 7:7-8)

Have you ever thought these verses could be applied to goal setting?

When you define your goals, you’re asking for a specific thing. Next, when you implement a plan of action, you’re seeking out your goals. And once you put in that effort, you’ve knocked on the door of success, which will be opened to you.

Whatever your goals may be, I hope you realize how important you are. You are a child of the Most High, and you were designed to succeed. I hope you re-read the Sermon on the Mount and let Messiah’s words empower you into doing the great things you were meant to do.

This year is going to be an awesome one. We’re going see strong markets, prosperity and the return of hope. It’s time to let our light shine, people. And once America is beaming again, let’s make sure we give thanks to the One who designed us for accomplishment. Here’s to a fantastic year!