My Path To Glory, Gbile Akanni
The path to glory is not necessarily glorious.
It hardly ever is. The path to fulfilling purpose and succeeding in life is often lined with trials, sufferings and contradictions. The path to glory is not the glory, it is simply a path, a route, a means to an end . . . and therefore it is not the focus.
Jesus, Master, you are the end that justifies my path in life. You are the glory, you are the ultimate. Becoming as you please is the glory! Oh Lord, please help me to focus on you and not the twists and turns on my path to becoming your will in life. Oh please help me take heed to myself, and to my expectations in treading this path to glory. For my path to glory may not lie in situations that look glorious!
My path to glory, like it was for David the son of Jesse, may lie in running mere errands of bearing victuals to those who hate me. Having to labour and sweat in order to see to the wellbeing of those who feel I will amount to nothing. The opportunity of triumph in battle may lie in agreeing to go on trips that I know my colleagues and elders will certainly misunderstand and misinterpret.
My path to glory, like it was for Joseph the son of Jacob, may lie in being stripped of the garment of love and cast into a dry pit. Sold almost naked, only to be resold like a cheap merchandise from one hand to the other.
The path to glory may make me the object of pity, sympathy and even sorrow . . . mourned, buried and given up as dead in the heart of those who love me. Living as a slave to serve the interest of others, yet witnessing God blessing men through my hands without anything that could be called mine.
The path to glory may see me tempted with sins, day and night, lied against, and even cast into prison without a chance to be heard. Yes, the path to glory may be one drab, dreary and difficult drill of drudgery after another. And I may be tempted to cry out to be delivered to tread an easier and broader path that beckons to me just a little yonder.
Yet, what is the alternative to this my path? To have remained at the vale of Hebron? In my father's favouristic love?
No! Lord, a father’s love and pampering may only ruin my destiny, for I may only but end up between his legs. I may only grow old, an arrogant spoilt brat speaking only of dreams and what I hope to be one day. No! Lord, a father’s love will only peak my life at the limits of what a man can provide.
Again, a master’s openly celebrated blind trust may only earn me the post of a chief servant; cutting me short from reaching the peak of God’s purpose for my life. I may die a household chieftain when the chance to save nations and generations after nourish and sustaining God’s people, awaits me.
So then . . . . the cruelty of even my brethren, the false accusation of a sin I have not committed, the cold floor and chains of a maximum prison; may be but all a divine ladder extended towards me by the hands of mercy, so as to climb to the place of honour and glory.
And I hear the Lord testify to my soul . . .
“Listen son and learn wisdom. Look at me and gain understanding. My path to glory was on the rough sand of suffering. I became the Captain of your salvation by the many things which I suffered on your behalf. My crown was not first that of Gold, but alas, of thorn it was.
I was like a tender plant, like a root shooting out from a dry ground. I had neither form nor comeliness. When men saw me, I had no beauty that should make them desire me. I was despised and rejected of them, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief; they hid as it were their faces from me and lightly esteemed me. But it was their griefs that I bore, it was their sorrows that I carried, yet they did consider me smitten, stricken and afflicted by God for my sins. But the truth is, I was wounded for your transgression, bruised for your iniquities; the chastisement of your peace was upon me; and it was my stripes that got you healed. Do remember son, that like a sheep you had gone astray, you had turned to your own way, but my father laid upon me your iniquity. It was for you I was oppressed and afflicted.
Then was I brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, silent before her shearers, I did not even open my mouth. I was taken from prison and from judgement; I died without children, as it were, to continue my family. But who among the people realised that I was dying for their sins - that I was suffering their punishment? I did no wrong. I never deceived anyone; yet I was buried like a criminal, comforted only by a rich man’s grave.
But then . . . .
All of these were God’s good plans to crush me and fill me with grief, so that after my life have been made an offering for sin, I will have a multitude of children, and many heirs to join me in inheriting my Father.
When my Father saw all that was accomplished by my anguish, He was satisfied. So you see, those were the experiences that made me a righteous servant. That was the path I took that made it possible for many to be counted righteous, as I bore their sins. Therefore, I am given, by my father, the honours of one that is mighty and great, because I exposed myself to death. I bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.
That was my path to glory! Yours may not be too different. Hence, fortify yourself with my grace, and go all through the path I have ordained for to lead you to your own glory with me" Now, here is the tragedy . . . . "not many do find this path to life and glory. Only but few that find it ever arrived safe at its end”
Help me, dear Lord, that I reject not the path you have carefully mapped out for me, no matter how rough it might be. Help me, dear Lord that I mournfully march on, on this my path that is destined to land me in Glory. Help me to accept all that's destined to propel me to life and peace.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
