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 lunch of flies.  He lived a totally sheltered life, so on his 10th birthday he had an urgent question for his mother: “Mommy, are there other animals in the jungle besides us?”  His mother looked at him with a bit of surprise, and then replied.  “Sure Kermit, there are lots of other animals out there.  Go ahead and see for yourself, but be very careful.”

With maternal endorsement, the 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.  Oh my!  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 is bitten and devoured by various issues: procrastination, shallow thinking, criticism, unbelief, immorality, or greed, just to cite a few.  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 with your God-given gifts, your Cultural Dream, your Corporate Dream, the American Dream, or the Heavenly Vision?

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

In a word, despite any apparent lack of aerodynamic capability, YOU MUST BELIEVE YOU CAN FLY!  No matter how the R&B singer, R. Kelly, rates on your spirituality scale or righteousness index, that musical artist somehow connected to Rhema and revelation in the old 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 the eagles, you must first set yourself free from chickens and turkeys!

To become equipped for this 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 the 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 been often said, OUR ATTITUDE governs and determines OUR ALTITUDE.

Trust me, believer, our God has designed and crafted a supremely UNIQUE AND POWERFUL YOU.  Indeed, HE declares that you are a WINNER-BELIEVER!  Therefore, why should you be co-dependent or so easily subjugated to the will and whims of others?   If no one wants to accompany your voice, 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 GOD’S 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 a 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 could 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 THE SOURCE.  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 images of doubt and fear grow strangely dim.  Now sing along with me…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!