SHINING VS. SUBSTANCE

When the wise men saw the star standing over the house where Jesus was, they rejoiced with exceeding joy. After they rejoiced on account of the star, they came into the house where Jesus was and they gave Him gifts. After rejoicing on account of the star they saw, they connected with Jesus. There was a matter of the shining of the star, but there was a substance in the house. The star stood for shining; the substance was Jesus.

Friend, discern that there is a difference between shining and substance. You do not shine simply because of your influence; you shine because of your substance. The same way the star turned up because of Jesus, your shining is essentially because of the substance in your inner man. Whilst your shining may attract men, it is your substance that will keep them glued to you. Your shining may impress men, but in your substance lies your impact.

When men come to you, they will not seek to see your shining; they will seek to connect to the substance in you. Men will seek to connect to the content of your inner man. Men will seek to connect to the abilities in you. Men will seek to connect to the oracles of God flowing through you. Men will seek to connect to the Jesus in the house, rather than the star in the sky. Men will seek to connect to what you have in you, and not the frenzy around you.

Pay attention to the substance in you. Pay attention to your prayer fire; pay attention to your hard work, character, focus, competence, diligence, excellence, etc.; pay attention to the uncommon abilities that God planted in you; pay attention to the divine abilities that guarantee endless possibilities; pay attention to the substance in you that caused you to begin to shine; pay attention to the workings and content of your inner man.

When the chips are down, shining is nothing, substance is everything. As much as you shine, do your best to ensure that you have substance; as you shine, build up more substance in you; as you shine, don’t forget your substance.