Understanding Purpose in Christian Ministry (PART 12)
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
And the child grew and became strong in spirit[d]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.” (Luke 1:80)
Glory be to God for another great moment of togetherness in His presence. May our lives be filled with the blessings of His presence! Amen!
Last week, on this series, we considered the essentiality of ministers’ foundation in their overall growth and development by placing emphasis on pure spiritual milk as a foundation of any form of holistic growth, as we have come to understand that purpose fulfillment is always in consonant with our growth, but today we shall focus on location as a factor that determines provisions for growth.
It is unfortunate that we most times attribute everything that happens in our lives and ministries to God. There are so many things we experience today in life and ministry which are as a result of our actions and inactions, our responses or lack of response to the grace of God. Nonetheless, there is nothing God wants us to become in life that He hasn’t made provisions for around us. Likewise, everything Satan wants us to become, he makes the provision for it in abundance around us.
God presents nobody whom He has not taken time to prepare. Meanwhile, purpose determines the nature and the place of preparation. While a fisherman won’t be trained on a farmland, but in a river so a farmer will not be trained in a river but on a farmland. A footballer won’t be trained in a swimming pool but on a football pitch, so a swimmer won’t be trained on a football pitch, but in a swimming pool. This same applies when it comes to God preparing us for life and ministry
One of the terrible things that happen to ministers is not getting the place of their training for life and ministry right for purpose fulfillment. We don’t choose where God prepares us, but He does. “27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.” (Acts 9:27-28).
Many ministers choose trainers (mentors) for themselves because of so many ungodly reasons. Some, because they want a shoulder to climb. Some do, because they want a platform. Some do, because of affluence, e.t.c. This is highly pathetic! This is one of the reasons many ministers end up becoming whom God hasn’t designed them to become.
If we must fulfill purpose as ministers, we must be careful about our positioning in life and ministry. This has got the ability to influence us and change our perspective, direction and cause on life. “14 Judas Iscariot[a] was one of the twelve disciples. He went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “How much will you give me if I help you arrest Jesus?” They paid Judas 30 silver coins” 16 and from then on he started looking for a good chance to betray Jesus.” (Matthew 26:14-16)
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
Good bless your relentless efforts and grant you grace for greater achievements