I wonder if there is any one on the planet that has not heard of Nelson Mandela, if you had not known much of him and where near world media along with following the recent events in South Africa, the cerebration of his life and the “world funeral”. He was a man who became a principled man, willing to allow his own desires and emotions to be adjusted by the principles he held, willing to live and die for an ideal. Through this he has impacted millions of people across our world. One value he encouraged and by all accounts practised diligently each day while imprisoned on Robbin Island and continued following his release, which actually explains something about him. He longed that ever man and woman would self examine for 15 mins each day, considering how they forgave, how they spoke to others, how they loved, etc., a self-examination people in order that our world would be a better place.

Now how deka this impact me… If we are to serve effectively we must sharpen, develop, hone our skills and ourselves, it really is a desperate requirement for you and me.

Look at yourself – your mental abilities, emotional responses, character qualities, attitudes and skills. determine to sharpen every aspect to become productive in either redeeming or influencing mankind.

Hone your emotions to respond adequately to the working of God in your human experiences. Be a thanks-giver, not just a thanks feeler. Train emotions so that when God is excited you are too, when God is at rest you are at rest.

Develop your powers of discernment. learn to differentiate between the important and the unimportant, the open door and the close door, the door to push and the door to stop pushing.

Hone your mind by reading, study, learning and questioning. Surround yourself with sharp-thinking people. Get with sharp people, because sharp people will keep you sharp. Sharp people will not agree with you all the time. If you only love the people who are agreeing with you, it is only yourself you are loving. Get with people who get you thinking ‘that is a good thought’, and that it did not come from you. Get with people who can add to you. You share the best revelation and they top it…

i can learn from people who see more than me. Get with sharp people. Don’t get with those that are gossiping, backbiting or pulling down, or even tell you they or you can do better that those around. Don’t get with miseries and especially meanes, not with pessimists, get with faithful men and women, those who talk faith and know what it is to be involved with the Work of faith, those who stir faith who loves people, loves God, is reaching towards people. that is where we want to go Hebrews 10:24, 25

Know when to switch off the computer, TV, Xbox… Keep sharp by praying in the Holy Spirit. Abide in the word of God, dig deep in the word, see things that you have not seen before, buy a markable bible, mark, mark, mark until the word is sharp in you John 8:31, John 14:23, John 15:7, Col 3:16

Perform good works. Good works are full of faith and love. Look for opportunities to do good Hebrews 10:24, Ephesians 2:10

Link up with apostles, prophets and let them know your fields of expertise Ephesians 4:11-13, Ephesians 2:19,20

Next whatever you are in already, if you are convinced that is where you should be as a sphere of influence, next step is then to establish yourself in it, succeed in it and excel. Do not settle for mediocrity 1 Cor. 10:31.

Speak confidently to yourself saying I believe God has placed me here, I will establish myself, hone my skills until I excel and gain the high ground of influence. In order that we become a people on the cutting edge to our life and story. A radical people. A people deeply conscious of our heritage and our destiny. A people bent on discipling the nations. A people ready to meet the challenge of our times and change the world, we are not born to journey through a trackless wilderness in life. We are to follow the Spirits directions the steps of a journey of faith towards the destiny of the Father as we do the will of God. We are intended to impact our age and world en route…