CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR

"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" Romans 9:16

One day, a rabbit boasted about how fast he could run. He laughed at the tortoise for being so slow. Much to the rabbit’s surprise, the tortoise challenged him to a race. The rabbit thought this was a good joke and he accepted the challenge. As the race began, the rabbit raced way ahead of the tortoise just like everyone thought. The rabbit got to the halfway point and could not see the tortoise anywhere. He was tired and decided to stop and take a short nap. He thought, even if the tortoise passed him, he would still be able to race to the finish line ahead of him. All this time the tortoise kept walking step by step. He never quit no matter how hot or tired he got. He just kept going. However, the rabbit slept longer than he had thought. When he woke up, he could not see the tortoise anywhere! He went to the finish line at full speed but found the tortoise there waiting for him.

Critical success factor (CSF) is a management term for an element that is necessary for an organization or project to achieve its mission (Wikipedia).  

One critical success factor in the race of life is to understand that talent is not enough. For instance, the rabbit would have won the race in the story above if talent is the only prerequisite for success in life. Goliath would have defeated David if physical strength is all that is required for victory in the battle of life. Many eloquent men in Egypt would have been chosen ahead of Moses if talent or charisma is all that is needed for success. According to Romans 9:16, an unseen force or God Factor always guarantees success in the race of life. 

Friend, please don't run the race of 2023 with those impressive credentials of the rabbit. You cannot win the race of 2023 by merely relying on your skills, qualifications, experience, or talents. You definitely need the backing of God to succeed this year. Whenever we go without God, we are bound to come back with nothing (John 15:5). That is why you must align yourself with God and leverage on the God Factor called "Mercy" for a glorious and fruitful life this year.

As you position yourself to run the race of 2023, please let the lyrics of this powerful hymn titled "Dew of Mercy" echo in your heart every day:

DEW OF MERCY by Fanny Crosby 1820–1915

1. Like the still quiet fall

Of the silent dew of night

On the leaves, that are folded to rest,

Is the mercy of God

When it droppeth from His throne,

Bringing balm from the fields of the blest.

 

Refrain:

Dew of mercy, dew of mercy,

Ever dropping, gently dropping from above;

Dew of mercy, how it cheers us,

Ever dropping from a Savior’s love!

 

2. How it cheers and revives

Every bud of Christian hope!

How it takes every sorrow away!

O ’tis sweeter by far

Than the drops of nature’s dew,

And it falleth by night and by day.

 

3. When we ask of the Lord,

In our simple fervent prayer,

For His blessing at morn and at even,

Let us pray that our souls

May be watered and refreshed,

By the dew of His mercy from Heav’n.   

 

Beloved, please note that sin is a license for failure and reproach in the race of life (Prov 14:34). You need to run to the feet of the cross for the dew of mercy to wipe away your sins today. Please repent and surrender your life to Jesus Christ now before the gate of mercy is shut against you. 

As the Lord lives, the dew of mercy shall heavily fall upon you and your household this year. The dew of mercy shall empower your destiny to run and break every generational record of limitations hanging over everyone in your lineage this year in Jesus' name, Amen. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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