(KJV) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
ERV) Like an expert builder, I built the foundation of that house. I used the gift that God gave me to do this. Other people are building on that foundation. But everyone should be careful how they build.
(GW) As a skilled and experienced builder, I used the gift that God gave me to lay the foundation for that building. However, someone else is building on it. Each person must be careful how he builds on it.
There is something God has put in you for the purpose of what He has called you to build.
You don’t become a good builder just by desires or wishes. Yes, it may begin from desires but it doesn’t end there.
Desire is a want but skill is a need. It is need that provokes skill.
Skills and gifts are for purpose of building. They are mandatory requirements for building
For instance;
Even though the building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness was a divine project, it still required men of skill. Ex. 36:1-3
When we ignore skill in building, resources are wasted and risk is imminent. Ex. 36:4
Skill provokes accountability. Ex. 36:5-6
Even the word, the most constructive and needful material for building destiny requires skill. Heb. 5:13
How can I develop my skill?
Skills don’t just happen, they are developed through a process. What then is the process of skill development?
Seven steps to developing your skills.
- Identify your area of skill. Ps. 139:14
Stop looking at yourself from a general perspective.
If you cannot identify your skill you won’t be able to indemnify it. It will remain elusive.
While the Bible enjoins us not to overestimate ourselves, we must not look down on ourselves. Rom. 12:3-6
Find out, what are the things peculiar about you? 1 Pet. 2:9
They are oftentimes hidden; if you don’t search for them you will not find them.
So dig, dig and dig in seeking for them. Pro. 13:23/ Matt. 7:7-8
- Desire to develop it
You will need to create a passion for it. Like it, want it, aspire for it. Let your heart yearn for it.
Your desire sets the pace for your attainments.
Desire is the first step in the journey of accomplishment.
Your desire will fuel your imagination.
- Find out the cost for developing it.
Skill has a cost because it is of value. Why? Houses don’t just happen, they are built. Heb. 3:4
There are materials that go into building – spiritual, mental, physical, emotional. They all have their different contributions to the building. Please don’t assume, analyze them.
Be exhaustive with the cost analysis. Don’t be carried away by the excitement of your desire.
- Check the implications of the cost. Lk. 14:28
Don’t glide over implications; ask yourself the sincere question “am I ready to pay the price”
Being a righteous Christian doesn’t alienate us from implications; it will only give us the grace to positively handle the implications.
When you are stressed by the implications of a course, it is not because the course is impossible or super difficult, it is because the commensurate grace for it is absent. Pro. 24:10.
So the same way you analyzed the cost, sit down to analyze the toll it will take on you – spirituality, time, money, discipline, etc.
- Commit yourself to developing it
Commitment is a pledge or obligation to a course. Commitment demands obligations. You are obligated. You are bound! Jn. 4:34
If it is a commitment, there must be a deadline. A course without a deadline will end in a dead end.
If it is a commitment, there will be the “must” dimensions to it. So, identify your MUST dimensions. Jn. 9:4
Your MUST dimensions will set your boundaries and value priorities.
- Place your hands on the plough without looking back. Lk. 9:62
It is a no-looking-back project. If skill must be developed, it is a one-way journey.
There are things that will want to make you look back! Gen. 19:26
Challenges are normal to life but defeat is alien to a life of breakthrough. 1 Cor. 10:13
The most veritable asset for the believer in the journeys of life is grace. 1 Cor. 15:10
Leverage on grace. When you have done all you know how to do, hold on to grace.
- Be grateful
For every inch you go, always return to recognize God as the doer. 1 Thess. 5:18/ Jn. 14:10
Skill not appreciated can kill. Ask Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. 4:20-32
Humility is the custodian of impactful skill. 1 Pet. 5:6
