DESPERATION WITH HARM TO NONE

9th JULY 2020

“And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,  but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus” – Luke 5:18–19

Some of us are very desperate in getting at what we want. Sometimes, we move doggedly with a very high spirit in our pursuit while observing every civil rule and conventions in trying to reach our goals. But in most cases, we become very uncivil and extremely unconventional in getting at our needs. To be desperate does not necessarily mean that you are anxious, it simply means you are putting in all your efforts and using every means to get to your goals while also avoiding distractions on the way. When you are desperate, you definitely know what to do to solve your problems and you are doing everything possible in that regard. When you are anxious on the other hand, it is not likely that you will be able to achieve your goals. The reason some people are anxious is that they lack the zeal and capacity to actualize their goals, and so they are afraid and wondering if they would succeed. Anxiety is a display of negative emotions, while desperation is a display of positive emotions. However, when you act with desperation, you must endeavor to act with dignity and integrity as well. That means that on a scale of ten, you have to weigh at least 7 in terms of dignity and integrity. When you are desperate, do not lock up your conscience and have the keys thrown into the sea. Such people can never show love or mercy to anyone when they try to get to their goals. Although, to be POSITIVELY desperate about getting what you want in life is to break every barrier or obstacle standing in your way to fulfillment, but nevertheless, you MUST cause harm and losses to no one in the process. I charge you this morning to be careful not to cause danger and losses to others as you fight for your rights, or as you proceed to achieve your desires. The scripture reminds us today that we can actually decide to become desperate provided no one is harmed in the process. Remember, the scripture says the measure you give is the measure you will get; for as you sow, so you shall reap. Positive desperation is to pray without ceasing about your desires and to work with diligence and doggedness to achieving your desires. In the process, you must be mindful of your reputation and safety to others as well. Therefore, to be positively desperate is to work without hurting anyone or breaking any law whatsoever. During the ministry of John, the Baptist, the crowd could not be controlled as they jammed against John in a large number. The crowd in those days just wanted to remain with John because they believed that John was the Messiah they had waited for. Consequently, they believed that John had the message of eternal life. So, they followed John with desperation. The same applied to the men in today’s scripture. They left no stone unturned in order to get at the feet of Jesus. Just like these men, we must adopt a desperate approach to eradicating diseases, Ignorance, and poverty by being desperate in prayers and work. We must pray fervently and ceaselessly while doing everything possible at the same time! The scripture says that the fervent prayers of the righteous availed much. All the same, you have to genuinely deploy your efforts toward making sure that your problems are solved without creating any further problem for anyone or the society. Remember, those who cause pains to others on the way to success will have problems at the gate of their own success. True happiness lies in how much love and care we truly give to others in the course of our daily activities. 

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I receive your word today and I declare I am blessed. Lord, by thy power I cancel every sorrow, shame, and reproach from my life NOW. Today shall mark the beginning of everything good in my life.  Amen.

FURTHER READING:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18