T.D. Jakes: God Is Preparing You for GREATNESS; Here’s What You NEED to Know | Full Sermons on TBN
In this season of our lives, many of us are yearning to make a meaningful impact—not just to be seen, but to truly lead, inspire, and carry others into their destinies. As believers, we often find ourselves standing before obstacles, unsure of our purpose or how to proceed. Yet, Scripture and the example of Joshua show us that God’s preparation for greatness doesn’t always look like the world’s. Instead, it’s a journey marked by humility, obstacles, and a defined purpose that magnifies the Lord above all else. In today’s reflection, we’ll explore how God shapes His people for influence, teaches us to navigate impediments, and reveals the power of godly increase right where we are.
The True Source of Influence
In a world obsessed with self-promotion and platforms, it is tempting to confuse affluence or recognition with true influence. Yet, in the Kingdom of God, real influence doesn’t come from titles or loud declarations: it comes from humble submission and a heart that consistently gives God the glory. The story of Joshua is especially relevant here. God told Joshua, “I will magnify you in the eyes of the people.” Notice that it wasn’t Joshua’s charisma or strategies that set him apart—it was God’s choosing and God’s timing.
God-given influence exerts a quiet but powerful force; it’s the ability to shape decisions, change hearts, and impact outcomes, whether within your family, your circle of friends, or your workplace. It’s not measured by your net worth or social media followers, but by how lives are changed because you’re present. No matter your station, you need influence—in your home, your team, your job—because true impact starts with a surrendered heart.
Humility: The Secret Ingredient
One of the greatest hurdles in seeking after godly impact is the urge to trust in our own wisdom. Yet, the most profound moments of spiritual breakthrough come not from what we know, but from a posture of honest humility. When we can admit “Lord, I don’t know,” we invite the Holy Spirit’s direction, wisdom, and intercession. Transformation, as Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, comes through the renewing of our mind—a journey as personal as it is powerful.
Joshua inherited leadership in a time of dramatic transition. The Israelites were stepping into uncharted territory, facing the unknown with fear and uncertainty. In seasons of transition, it’s easy to become irritable or anxious because old norms have been stripped away—yet, this is precisely where God calls us to listen, depend, and grow.
Recognizing and Responding to Impediments
Much like Joshua encountered the flooded Jordan River at harvest time, our own spiritual journeys often include divinely appointed obstacles. We ask God to remove impediments, but sometimes, the very flood we want to avoid is the means God uses to elevate us. Consider this: the flood that seemed to block Joshua’s progress was God’s way of setting the stage for a miracle—a miracle that would magnify His name and establish Joshua’s influence among the people.
If you’re experiencing resistance or challenge, know that it’s not a sign of God’s disapproval but of preparation. Your response to your obstacles will shape the influence you have in this season and beyond. The breakthrough doesn’t come by imitating someone else’s methods but by embracing the unique path God sets before you. Moses’ rod parted the Red Sea, but Joshua had to trust in God’s fresh instructions for a new miracle at the Jordan River flood.
Godly Influence vs. Titles and Positions
We live in a society enamored with titles, degrees, and status. But the Word reminds us: you can have the right name or credentials and still lack influence. Just because you’re called a leader doesn’t mean you truly lead. Influence is about transformation, effectiveness, and producing fruit in the lives of those entrusted to you—be it your children, your coworkers, or your community. Jesus Himself “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52), demonstrating that godly influence grows organically from intimacy with the Father and compassionate engagement with people.
How to Grow in Influence Amidst Opposition
One often overlooked lesson in Scripture is that increased influence brings increased opposition. As God raised up Joshua, so too did the number and strength of his adversaries increase. The same floodplain that brought promise also brought new enemies: the Hittites, Jebusites, and many others fortified their defenses in response to Israel’s advancement.
The temptation in these moments is to shrink back or to dilute your calling for the sake of other’s comfort. But godly growth sometimes means others will be unsettled by your progress—don’t let this slow your obedience. The measure of your influence lies not in avoiding discomfort but in your willingness to stand firm, knowing that the glory to be revealed outweighs the present challenges.
Impact Starts With Internal Conviction
Before God elevates someone publicly, He does a deep work internally. He assured Joshua privately, “As I was with Moses, so shall I be with you.” You cannot lead well or impact others until you’re convinced of your God-given purpose. This is why Paul prayed that “the eyes of your understanding be enlightened”—so that you would know the hope of your calling, the riches of God’s inheritance in you, and the greatness of His power for those who believe.
External influence is a direct reflection of an internal conviction. If you doubt your purpose or identity, you’ll project that uncertainty—and hinder your own effectiveness. But when you are persuaded deep down that God has called, equipped, and prepared you, you become steadfast and resilient, ready to cross any Jordan in your way.
Influence in the Face of Change
Transitions—whether from one stage of life to another, or from one level of leadership to a greater one—are always met with resistance, both from inside and outside. People may resent
