Article by:
Rev. Kelcey A. West, MDIV
In 1991, Robert Townsend helped me prepare, understand, and see the sign of the times when he wrote, produced, and starred in a movie titled - The FIVEHEARTBEATS.
He did so by creating and developing the character Jimmy Potter who served as the group’s manager in the movie. If by chance, you have ever seen the movie, you will recall how the initial performance of the group was far from polished. Their choreography was all wrong, their harmony was all wrong and their outfits were all wrong. However, despite everything being wrong with that group, Jimmy Potter saw something that was right.
In fact, he saw something in that group so special that, despite not having his wife’s approval, despite the group coming in second place after he bet them he could help them win first place, despite the fact that he had been burned by prior groups and despite the fact that he would have to work with Big Red Records, Jimmy Potter shook hands with JT, Duck, Choir Boy, Dresser and Eddie Kane Jr. because he believed in what he saw!
Contrary to popular belief, the theme of believing in what you see is timely because the Book of Zechariah is the written version of that which the prophet Zechariah believed in and saw including God’s love for Jerusalem and how He is going to punish those for what they did to His city. Prophetically, this book teaches us that God will not only have mercy on this city (1:12), but how He will one day dwell in that city (8:3).
When it came to Jesus, Zechariah also believed in what he saw, as he called Him not the stone (Chapters 3/10) and the Slave sold for 30 pieces of silver (11), but as the smitten Shepherd (13), the Branch (3/6), and the glorious Ruler (14:9).
#TrustWhatYouSee even when it does not look like what you are seeing. Despite Zechariah being called to prophesy during a time when Jerusalem was still in ruins, Zechariah never saw Israel in a ruined state. In addition, Zechariah, believed in and saw (in the spirit) that the second temple would be finished (4:9).
Now here are some LIFE APPLICATIONS that I gleaned from Zachariah 4:6-10.
#TrustWhatYouSee – Your mountain will be moved! (Zechariah 4:6-7)
TRUST WHAT YOU SEE! You have been pre-approved and not because of your income, zip code, experience, credit score, references, time on the job, but you are pre-approved because you, like Israel, have been hand-picked by God for reasons only known by God.
Today is a great day to spiritually trust what you see and spiritually speak (Mark 11:23) to that mountain.
#TrustWhatYouSee – Your course will be completed (Zechariah 4:9)
TRUST WHAT YOU SEE! Your course/cross and not competition was not meant to be compared but completed so that God can be glorified. You have no idea in Year 2 what this ministry will give birth to. For that reason, do not you grow weary in well-doing, for in due time you/we will reap a harvest if you don’t give up!
#TRUSTWHATYOUSEE – Your beginning will be beneficial – v. 10
TRUST WHAT YOU SEE! Your labor is not in vain. All the tasks that you are having to perform during the early stages of your business is not only giving you a start, but a sense of responsibility and accountability. The beginning stages of your business is also beneficial because you are developing your discipline and cultivating your courage to finish that which you start.
Since Zachariah trusted in what he saw concerning how Israel would be saved by one man (Jesus), I will conclude this article by returning to the movie – The Five Heartbeats and revealing my favorite theological doctrine that I witnessed in the movie.
Through one man’s death (Jimmy Potter) the Five Heartbeats were able to be set free from the yoke and bondage of Big Red Records. This is an especially important lesson for us to always remember what the bible teaches us in Romans 5:8 – “But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Since 2005, Pastor Kelcey A. West has served as the Senior Pastor of Nehemiah Ministries Christian Church. As a dedicated community leader, Pastor West serves as the President for the NV/CA Interstate Missionary Baptist Church Convention, Executive Director for 32nd Street Theater and the Native Son Spelling Bee, Vice President for the Churches of Southern Las Vegas, Co-Chair for the Home Mission Department (National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.), Ambassador for Zimbabwe (Gospel Link) and a Board Member for the Las Vegas branches of Susan G. Komen and the Salvation Army. Although, he has received many awards and accolades, his greatest honors include serving as a devoted husband to Rev. Carmen West and a proud father to Christopher, Kyle, and Cameron.
