Can you picture the thrill of receiving a scholarship to study at the best university in the world? An opportunity to learn in an institution equipped with the finest facilities and cutting-edge technology while being taught by the world's most notable scholars?
However, the only catch is that you would not be given the opportunity to graduate. Meaning, there is no guarantee that you will finish it or be able to put all you’ve learned into practice.
Now, even if this offer is fantastic, I’m sure you would reconsider your decision to take it because, as great as it is, you cannot remain on one level forever. The reason we go to school isn’t just to learn, but to practice.
Sadly, this picture I just painted is the story of many believers and their walk with God. A lot of believers have spent years in the Lord, but they have very little to show for it. Ever learning but never reaching the point of truth.
It is just as great an error as being in the same class and at the same school without ever graduating or stepping out to practice all you’ve been taught.
This is not God’s will for you. The bible says, “ But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).
Never acting on the word of God that you’ve heard is self-deception.
Ever since your salvation, you have been equipped with the capacity and gifts to practice the word of God and to do ministry. It would be a huge disservice not to find a channel of expression for the gifts within you.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, mentioned that the purpose of the training you’ve been receiving in church from our spiritual leaders is so you can do the work of ministry.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-12
You have to realize that ministry is not restricted to standing in front of a pulpit and wielding a microphone; you can minister without having such a platform. No matter where you are or who you are, God can use you.
Titles are not a prerequisite for doing ministry. In fact, titles attest to ministry rather than confer it.
Another thing you must note is this: You are most likely struggling with consistency and fervour in your walk with God because you have not found a channel of expression for the gifts of God in you.
Fire always has a purpose; anywhere you see fire without a purpose, it brings destruction.
If you want to grow spiritually, you must be doing something for God.
For instance, how have you influenced the lives of those around you with the message of the gospel? There’s a kind of influence you wield over those around you that your Pastor may never have.
In what way are you ensuring that those around you get to hear the gospel?
For every valid excuse you can think of, God has the answer in the word, and to understand this better, you must study the lives of those God used mightily in the Bible. They also had similar excuses and challenges as you.
Moses
had all the good reasons to escape the Lord’s call; he was a stammerer and a fugitive yet God empowered him through it all (Exodus 4:10–11).
Jeremiah
The weight and gravity of his call as a prophet to the nations overwhelmed him so much that he cried out to God in fear for being too young for such a responsibility (Jeremiah 1:6-7).
The Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius
The Euthopian eunuch was the financial adviser to Candace - the Queen of Sudan, while Cornelius was a soldier. Both had secular jobs that could have easily been a good excuse to not do the word of God, yet this was not the case. (Acts 10:1, Acts 8:27–28).
The Samaritan woman
She had a terrible and complicated love life that could have quenched her desire to truly know God, and drawn her away from him even more (John 4:17–18).
I have taken the time to show you these few scriptures for you to realize that there’s nothing new under the sun, and even more succinctly, there’s no reason you’ll give God that he hasn’t already heard or made provision for.
I’ll leave you with one big secret that can change your life, and I hope you don’t underestimate its simplicity.
This secret is SERVICE.
You may have disqualified yourself from ministry because you felt you didn't have a platform for it, but now I will show you a better way.
Greatness in the kingdom is measured by service, not position. You must find a way to serve God with your gifts, your ideas, and your resources.
You can start by simply joining a service unit in church. Get integrated into the system and share your ideas and resources. Contributing your professional skills is a great way to propagate God’s work.
Be a source of encouragement to someone; invite people to church; just make sure you are constantly in service to God.
Start measuring your life’s success by your service. The greatest gift we ever received (salvation) came to us through the service and humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. In our kingdom, those who will be counted among the greatest must first be in service to God.
What if Acts 13:36 was the testimony of your life? A testimony of a life of service to God.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
Acts 13:36
To learn more about doing the work of ministry, follow the on-going 100 Days of Discipleship Challenge.
Also, don’t forget to do the following;
Share this with someone, you might be saving a life.
Tweet at least a lesson learnt with the hashtag; #100DOD
I am grateful for your email. Sometimes, I try to avoid the call of God on my life by making up excuses of how other people can do it. Thank you, Pastor.
The secret to consistency with God is Service.
I have always been in children ministry, from my childhood I have been teaching fellow children below my age, but lately I lost my peace and joy in going to our congregation.
I started feeling like I'm giving but not receiving, I mean the word.
I decided to join another congregation but there is no structure for children church, I see children calling me even in my dream.
In the new congregation I received the word and feel good with what God is doing but a part of me isn't complete.
I have tried to serve in other units but it'snt going well with me.
What should I do I really want to serve God