Manage your destiny, with Dr. Charity Segun Odeyemi, (main shepherd, Evergreen Christian Center Akure Nigeria)

The price of the purpose
The Scriptures call Jesus the “bright and morning star” (Apocalypse 22:16). A star is a symbol of light, guide and hope. Describing Jesus as the morning star reminds us that it is he who inaugurates a new dawn, ending up in darkness and bringing the promise of a glorious future.
But here is a profound truth: no star emerges without sacrifice. Before glory, there must be a paid price. Even Jesus, the bright and morning star, entered his glory through the maximum sacrifice of the cross.
Gold does not shine when it is excavated for the first time from the earth: it is covered with dirt, waste and impurities. To reveal its beauty and value, it must pass through intense fire. The fire purifies it, burns the unwanted parts and brings out the splendor.
In the same way, God allows us to pass through the “fire” of evidence, discipline and sacrifice so that our real value can emerge. “He knows the way I take; when he tested me, I will go out as gold” (Job 23:10).
Just as gold shines only after fire, no star shines without sacrifice.
“And being found in appearance as a man, humiliated and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also very exalted him and gave him the name that is above all names” (Philippians 2: 8-9).
Jesus became the eternal light of the world because he posed his life. His splendor was born from his sacrifice.
Stars in the scriptures and the price of sacrifice
Joseph: God showed Joseph that would be a star among his brothers (Genesis 37: 9). But before that dream became reality, he paid the price of treason, slavery, false accusation and prison. His star shone only after years of resistance and loyalty.
Esther: Esther Rose as a star in his generation, saving his people from destruction. But it came to the price of courage and sacrifice. He declared: “If I lose, I lose” (Esther 4:16). Without his will to risk everything, his star would never have shone in history.
David: Angle as King while he was still a shepherd boy, David’s star had to go through years of rehearsal, refusal and run from Saul. His greatness derived from his resistance to the price of patience and faith.
Jesus: above all, Christ is the perfect example. He said: “Unless a grain grain falls to the ground and dying, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces a lot of wheat” (John 12:24). His sacrifice has produced salvation and glory for all those who believe.
Lessons for us
1
2 Your sacrifice today is the seed of your shining tomorrow.
3 “Here, obeying is better than sacrifice and to listen to the fat of the ram” (1 Samuele 15:22).
Final admonition
Loved, Jesus is the bright and morning star and, since he has paid the greatest sacrifice, now he shines forever. If you want to shine in your generation, embrace the path of sacrifice: sacrifice of prayer, holiness, humility, service and obedience to God.
Remember: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the firmament and those who transform many to justice as the stars forever” (Daniele 12: 3).
You are called to shine, but your splendor must be purchased through sacrifice. Just like no seed grows without being buried, no star emerges without a price.