I BELIEVE I CAN FLY!

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY!

One of my favorite stories goes like this: A young frog in the remote jungle of equatorial Africa had just finished his desert of flies.  He had lived a totally sheltered life, so on his 12th birthday he had a very urgent question for his mother: “Mommy, are there other animals in the jungle besides us?”  His mother looked at him with some surprise, and then replied.  “Sure Kermit, there are lots of other animals out there.  Be careful, but go ahead and see for yourself.”

With maternal endorsement, this young-yet-naïve frog hopped confidently down the path, until he came to a handsome orange-flecked monkey.  Without hesitation, Kermit shouted out: “I’m a W---I---D---E--mouth African frog…and I eat flies.  What do you eat?”  “BANANAS!” responded the enthusiastic monkey.

Kermit kept on down the path until he encountered a tall giraffe.  He greeted the beautiful giraffe with the same shout-out: “I’m a W---I---D---E--mouth African frog…and I eat flies.  What do you eat?”  Mrs. Giraffe responded ever so kindly: “Well, I eat LEAVES from the tallest trees!”  With heightened curiosity about the animals that remained to be discovered, Kermit continued his hasty travels, and wound up by the riverside.

He spotted a huge crocodile dozing in the sun and similarly greeted him: “I’m a W---I---D---E--mouth African frog…and I eat flies.  What do you eat?”  Before Kermit could hop away, the crocodile opened his mouth really wide and shouted “I’m glad you asked.  That’s easy.  I eat W---I---D---E--MOUTH AFRICAN FROGS!”  And in one unfortunate gulp, Kermit’s tour of discovery had come to a sudden end.  The moral of the story is this: Don’t allow any negative force sufficient access or permission to devour YOU or YOUR DREAMS!

Unfortunately, the spiritual heritage of some people has been viciously bitten and devoured by a variety of personal issues: procrastination, shallow thinking, criticism, unbelief, immorality, or greed, just to cite a few.  These are self-inflicted wounds.  So I repeat: Don’t allow any negative force sufficient access or permission to devour YOU or YOUR DREAMS!  By the way, precisely what is it that YOU are pursuing: Your Cultural Dream, Your Corporate Dream, The American Dream (OR) The Heavenly Vision?  Which one?

At least three factors are necessary to achieve every mission-critical goal for your life:
1) You must not be distracted by static or background noise.
2) You must be watchful, prayerful, studious and wise.
3) You must sustain sufficient faith to have dominion over your past, present and future.

In a word, despite any apparent lack of any aerodynamic capability, you must believe you can fly!  No matter how the R&B singer, R. Kelly, rates on your ‘spirituality scale’ or ‘righteousness meter,’ that musical artist somehow connected to Rhema and revelation in his popular ballad “I Believe I Can Fly.”  Brothers and sisters, consider this carefully: If you intend to FLY into the stratosphere of your God-given potential, you must first liberate your eyes from the barnyard floor and develop a dynamic vision that is singularly focused and fixated on the sky.  Put simply, if you ever intend to soar with eagles, you must first set yourself free from chickens!

In order to become equipped for our imminent season of revolutionary change, we must adopt a life-attitude that says “I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST” (Philippians 4:13), i.e. we must walk with God-ordained confidence.  Such confidence is not tantamount to arrogance.  No.  Rather, it is a blessed assurance that Christ is not only on board our ship, but that He is, indeed, at the very center of our circumstances.  As has often been said, our attitude governs and determines our altitude.

Trust me, believer, our God has created a supremely unique and powerful YOU.  Indeed, He declares that you are a WINNER-BELIEVER!  Therefore, why are you sometimes so co-dependent, or so subjugated to the will and whims of others?   If no one wants to accompany your voice, or if no one perceives the inherent beauty of your song, then simply learn how to sing acapella.  If others fail to discern your worth or refuse to sow any measure of time, talent or treasure into your dreams, just keep believing the Word and relying on Christ-in-you, who is the singular and ultimate hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Three keys open life’s gateway-to-success: (1) the ability to discover one’s specific niche, (2) the power to unleash a long-term faith-focus, and (3) the ability to persevere through adverse circumstances.  However, along your journey, be aware of one vital truth.  Not everyone who has the same surname as you, or occupies the same pew, or self-identifies as friend or supporter is truly dedicated to your success.  Some of the aforementioned just might be frienemies, a.k.a. friendly enemies!  Their words might seem supportive, but their actions tell a different tale altogether.

Here’s the bottom-line: Your capacity for future flight is not defined by the words, opinions or actions of others.  Indeed, it is wonderful to have various resources, but all are completely secondary to YOUR Source, the true and living GOD.  He alone is “the Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) When you and I are walking in HIS LIGHT, any outside voices and all images of doubt and fear grow strangely dim. 

Now sing along with me…

I believe I can fly…

I believe I can touch the sky…

Think about it every night and day…

Spread my wings and fly away…

I believe I can soar…

See me running through that open door…

I believe I can fly…

I believe I can fly…

I believe I can fly!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!