Oluwamuyiwa Okuseinde
“And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon” (Judges 11:6).
Self development is the process of consciously improving oneself in specific areas to achieve an enhanced quality of life. It involves sharpening of existing skills and learning new ones, growing your capacity and developing potential, among other things.
Sometimes, the difference between success and failure, or between fulfilment and frustration in life lies in self development. Your capacity for self development will determine how well you will respond to opportunities and the changing seasons of life.
David was an expert in the use of the sling. With a sling and a stone, he secured a fascinating military victory when he used that seemingly insignificant weapon to put an emphatic end to a military champion who had held a whole national army to ransom for weeks.
But that dexterity in handling the sling was not acquired overnight. David had spent time developing that skill while he was in the bush with the sheep. Even if he was naturally gifted in the use of the sling, the efforts and time he took to hone that gift eventually paid off when he confronted Goliath.
Another biblical example of the value of self development is Jephthah. He had been exiled from his father’s house and from his nation when he was young because his mother was not legally married to his father. Rather than wallowing in self pity, Jephthah developed himself in the art of warfare and became a military force to reckon with. Years later when Israel was attacked by another nation, it was Jephthah that was called upon to help deliver them.
Jephthah’s story is very instructive because it shows that even when people don’t believe in you and they write you off as one who would amount to nothing, you can change the narrative. Develop yourself, and you will most likely end up at the top.
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FURTHER BIBLE READING: JUDGES 11:1-11.
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EXERCISES
1. What new insight have you gained from the above message? Please write it down in your journal.
2. What would be your prayer points and what are the steps you will take?
3. If you have been blessed by this message, please share it with your friends and loved ones.
TODAY’S MESSAGE
TM20220202