I entered into ministry in the midst of a miraculous show of God’s power proving to me that God can work with and through me in-spite of me. I had no great vision; no country to conquer, no nation to subdue, just a burden and a deep desire to serve the Lord who saved me in every sense of the word. There were no romantic notions, and I did not write songs on how I was stepping into the unknown, because I knew that He knew. I just had to follow.
In the few short years that have gone by, I have learned that pastoring God’s flock often gets me wedged in between God’s road map for the flock and the path the flock would rather follow. My own well being was at the mercy of man’s expectations for me, and everyone had an expectation which often contrasted God’s calling for me and for those whom He had called me to mentor.
One of the first things I’ll do when I get to heaven, after settling in, is to pay a visit to Moses. I immensely appreciate his humility and integrity.
I constantly find myself going uphill/going against the flow/against the grain; what have you, because even though I get my marching orders from heaven, I live amongst the heathen on earth (among whom I once was the most jolly heathen).
I did not know if this constant struggle would take its toll somewhere in my life. I did not want this adversely affecting my relationship with my children, and I was very concerned it would end up making me a grumpy old cynical man.
What I did not expect at all was God dropping in for a visit to cheer me on. To hear that He was fully satisfied was all that I needed.
- Psalm 37:23 (NKJV) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
- Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…
As I settle into my “new’ office, I’ve come to the realization that life to me has no greater purpose that fulfilling what God needs me to do here on Earth. He encourages me to represent Jesus the best I can, nothing else matters.
Sometimes I think we forget how much faith God has in us, and we give in to our own self-doubt and challenges.
I’ve learned to not do that!
Let me encourage you today. His hopes and dreams for you are great – even more so than what you believe for yourself. Philippians 4:13 tells you and me that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. You are not just a winner, you have already won. Just live the victory out in Christ, enjoy the ride.
John 14:12 (NKJV) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Let’s get that done.