By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Today, we continue with our discussion that the bright and brilliant people are seen as smarter and better than others, and therefore draw adversaries, especially in the consideration of people for promotion, high offices or positions.*
*Yesterday, we looked at Abel and Josiah, two great minds and men that died early in their journey of destiny. Today we continue with the following individuals :*
*3) _STEPHEN_ :*
*Stephen was another great mind – bright, brilliant and bold, even to a fault. Yet, he too died quite young.*
*He was known to be “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”*
*Acts 6:[8] And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.*
*He debated the Sanhedrin and “no one could stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke” :*
*Acts 6: [9] Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.*
*[10]And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.*
*Despite the level of the spiritual gifting and manifestation in the life of Stephen, he also died quite young: he was stoned to death in his 30s, the first Christian martyr in the new testament.*
*His speech as seen in Acts 7 showed brilliance and deep knowledge of the Old Testament history, which he used to arrest the attention of his listeners in power and exploits.*
*4) _JOHN THE BAPTIST_ :*
*John the Baptist was bright – Jesus said this concerning him :*
*Matthew 11:[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.*
*“among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” -Mtt 11:11. John the Baptist was a Prophet, an Evangelist, a teacher, a mentor, and a preacher who could draw crowds and confront kings.*
*He died early too, being beheaded by Herod in his 30s. Mission fulfilled fast you may want to say, but life cut short quite early.*
*The pattern of being brilliant didn’t protect the bright. Sometimes it even puts a target on them :Abel’s righteousness, Stephen’s boldness, John’s confrontation of sin, Josiah’s reforms.*
*One thing the bright and brilliant should notice is that, their arrival or presence, command publicity and attention. And this is not too good for their aura.*
*Therefore in this situation, there is the need for care and caution by them.*
*The birth of Jesus Christ showed clearly that the bright and brilliant could be KILLED.*
*If an attempt could be made on the life of Jesus Christ, then an attempt can be made on any other person’s life.*
*Please pay attention to this :*
*Matthew 2:[1]Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,*
*[2]Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.*
*[3]When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.*
*If the parents of Jesus were insensitive to the Holy Spirit or if they were procrastinators, the story might have been different :*
*Matthew 2:[13]And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.*
*[14]When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:*
*If the birth of Jesus Christ could command such a bitter response from Herod, only God will help and protect the bright and brilliant.*
*Another truth is that, very bright people hold demanding, high-profile responsibilities. Therefore, chronic stress can set in the course of their work, which can lead to severe health issues, like weakening their immune system which can easily lead to early death.*
*Jesus Christ after major public ministrations, would always set himself aside for prayers and REST :*
*Mark 6:3[31] And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.*
*Most bright and brilliant people don’t rest enough, among others.*
*Tomorrow God willing, we shall look at helpful tips to help the bright and brilliant in their journey of life.*
Top of the day to you 👍.
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
