ARCHBISHOP AND PRESIDING PRELATE

His Beatitude Sir Godfrey Gregg DD

Today it is another privilege to greet my Leader and elders in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Patriarch and Bishop of Starlight of Israel Dr. Darrindel Hoyte-Johnson, Matriarch Hon. Janet McClean, Crowned Queen Abbess Dr. Jacinta Albert-Patrick of Trinidad and Tobago, His Eminence Sir Eric Alleyne, Patriarch McGillvary and the Queen Abbess of London, England. Let us look at our scripture for today.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” – Genesis 41:41

Isn’t it interesting that the word appointment comes from within the word disappointment? I’ve often marvelled at that because I’ve seen again and again how disappointments take something from us: a dream, a piece of our hearts — may be whole chunks of it. But disappointment leaves something too: a gift, an opportunity, the possibility of creating change.

This means we can move from the valley of the shadow of death to new horizons and bring others with us on that road.  However, we have to stay in our lane and walk behind our Leader. Remember the steps of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord.

The enemy would like us to feel such a depth of disappointment that we never find our way back to the plan God has for us. If he can convince us to stay stuck in our disappointment, we’ll miss many of our future God appointments. I realize that some disappointments seem so big that we can’t imagine ever being able to move beyond them. We ask deep questions and they go unanswered. Many times we just have to sit back and let God work His will for us. We feel a sense of loss when others fail us, we feel disappointed and in many cases, it is the will of God for our lives. We must STOP interfering in the plan of God.

Joseph could have become bitter when he ended up in the pit, was sold into slavery, and was thrown in prison through no fault of his own. His dream appeared shattered by disappointment. Yet, because he did not lose hope, he finally stepped into his divine appointment and was put in charge of Egypt. Hallelujah, they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. Yes, they shall mount up with wings like an eagle, run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.

We too will encounter many disappointments along our journey and must decide ahead of time that we will not allow them to derail us. Every one of you had some disappointment in your life and may have some disappointment in me as well. That is part of the process of building character for the journey. It is not what the other person thinks of you but how God sees you in His plans. My brothers and sisters don’t be disappointed in yourself. Take that moment as the first step to a better place. You are worth more than the thoughts of others. Your worth is what God has in His plans for you.

So much of our Christian walk has to do with learning to trust the goodness and faithfulness of God despite what happens to us or is happening around us. Forget the lies, gossip, and ill-treatment which sometimes come from the people close to you. They shall fail, as your servant I want to encourage you to lift up your heads and smile. Be proud of who you are and what you have, and count it a blessing. I never fail to love you and I want you to feel loved every minute and every moment.

This sounds much easier to do than it actually is. When your emotions are screaming and your heart has been betrayed, the door of opportunity has closed, or that relationship has broken down, the last thing you feel like doing is trusting God and continuing the journey. Can I encourage you today with these words? Even if people have disappointed you or circumstances have not turned out as you had hoped or prayed, know that God is with you, cares for you, and loves you. He is working all these things together for your good right at this very moment. He is building up your spiritual immune system. He is making a character for the journey ahead. Are you ready?

There are many future God appointments on the other side of this disappointment. Walk with me and let us face the challenges together and on. Disappointment will come but we are going to overcome them with God’s plan of appointments for our lives. We are The Mystical Order and Starlight of Israel, and we are survivors and fighters. God bless us all on this journey.