A few days ago, I had a dream. I was in a large assembly where some pastors were to be congratulated. There were three of us, myself included, standing between two women. When the time for the blessings came, the place where we were standing began to rotate, and suddenly, I found myself between the two women, who had both grown very tall, while I had become like a dwarf. I was surprised to receive the blessing while being so small. The two women beside me had become giants, and I looked like a five-year-old child. As I was coming out of the dream, an angel whispered three times into my right ear: Philippians 2:9.

It is written:
“He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:8–10)

The secret to Christ’s power lay in His humility. The secret to Christ’s greatness was in His brokenness. The secret to Christ’s exaltation was in His self-abasement. It is written:
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” I’ve come to announce to you the seasons of humility, the seasons of brokenness, of sweating for Christ, in order to give birth to your destiny.

That is why it is also written:
“What does ‘He ascended’ mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” (Ephesians 4:9–10)

My beloved, I’m not talking to you about religion. I’m talking about revelation. The revelation of humiliation before exaltation was given to me twice on the mountain. In real life, I was on a prayer mountain. Twice, I had dreams on that mountain where I had descended to the depths of the earth, even though I came seeking elevation. And this third dream, where I appeared small, was a sign that I still needed to humble myself—that the Lord still needed to break me before He could use me.

The apostle Paul illustrates perfectly the path of a Christian seeking elevation within the community. He says:
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last…” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

The term used here is precise—“athlete”—referring to the Christian. A Christian is an athlete. The Christian who wants to go far must sweat. They must impose strict discipline in prayer, fasting, charity, evangelism, salary management, the use of their gifts, and finances, etc.

What time do you get up in the morning?
What time do you go to bed at night?
How many chapters of the Bible do you read each day?
How often do you meditate on God’s Word?
How many hours do you pray per day?
And more importantly, how much time do you spend praying in tongues each day?

This message is not for superficial Christians. No—it’s for those who hunger for solid food. When I began my walk of faith, I would spend a minimum of 6 hours a day in God’s presence. But today, the Lord has shown me that this is still too little. I must now learn to spend 20 hours regularly in His presence. Why? To train my body, to humble it, to descend into the depths of the earth, to die with Christ and rise again with Him.

In this season, the Lord has commissioned me to shake your life of prayer and work.
Watchman, the time has come to rise at midnight and pray until dawn.
The time has come to regularly organize evangelism campaigns—at your own expense, in your neighborhood.
The time has come to save and invest in the Kingdom, for the end times are near.
Were you sent on a mission but abandoned it? Repent, return to those who sent you, and start again from scratch where you failed. Because I too failed in the past. And the Lord has commanded me to help you rise again.

“Everything is permissible,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible—but not everything builds up.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)

There are things in your life—like sleep, food, sex, passions, daily habits, a certain type of job—that you must simply give up right now. Are you ready to do it?
Are you willing to sweat with me, to run your race and fulfill your destiny in Christ?

The apostle Paul declares:
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)

Are you willing to become a slave of Jesus Christ?
Do you want to be a servant to all?
Or would you rather serve yourself, in rebellion and stubbornness, and burn in hell—despite your false appearance of Christianity?

Then say this prayer with me:

“LORD JESUS, BREAK ME! LORD JESUS, REMOVE THE PLANK FROM MY EYE. LORD JESUS, DESTROY THE SATANIC FOUNDATIONS THAT WERE PLACED IN ME! LORD JESUS, COME AGAIN INTO MY LIFE AND INTO MY HEART. GRANT ME THE GRACE TO STAND, TO SEEK YOU, TO WALK WITH YOU, AND TO SERVE YOU FAITHFULLY! Amen!”

If you said this prayer sincerely, the Lord has forgiven you. Return to your local church and ask your leaders for forgiveness, then serve in brokenness. And if you don’t have a local church, pray that the Lord will lead you to a true church where you can fellowship with your new brothers and sisters in Christ. And when He does—join it…

This text is an excerpt from the book “THE DESERT JOURNEY” written by Jean-Paul Marie (Pastor Samuel Binyou).

We invite you to read the next article: “WHY ARE CHRISTIANS SO MEDIOCRE?”

SWEAT. SWEAT. SWEAT.